What To Do If You’re Losing Your Hearing

Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) is the most common symptom of hearing loss.  Another common symptom is a sense of fullness in the ears that will not clear easily. One key indicator of progressing hearing loss is the need to turn up sounds, such as the television or radio. Another is not being able to make out what people are saying in noisy environments, like a busy restaurant. Unfortunately, the latter can have a severe impact on individuals, particularly in social situations. 

“This really has to do with quality of life. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, depression, and anxiety. When it's hard to participate in conversations, many people with hearing loss choose to avoid interactions with others all together, missing out on important life events and moments,” explained Ben Copeland, MD, an Indianapolis ear nose and throat specialist with Franciscan Physician Network Otolaryngology Associates.

Key Takeaways: Hearing Loss

• Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by being exposed to extremely loud noises. Hearing protection is essential when in excessively loud environments, including race tracks, concerts and some work environments.
• About 200 medications are known to contribute to hearing loss or ringing in the ears.
• Treatment options for hearing loss include hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Can You Prevent Hearing Loss? 

During a person’s younger years, it’s important to limit exposure to extremely loud noises. Forty million adults in the United States have noise-induced hearing loss. 

“If you know you're going to be exposed to excessively loud noise,  protect yourself with ear plugs,” said Sarah Polacek, PA-C, physician assistant with Otolaryngology Associates.

It’s also helpful to know about certain medications that have been connected to hearing loss.  Dr. Copeland noted that there are approximately 200 different known medications that can contribute to and cause hearing loss and ringing in the ears.

How Is Hearing Loss Diagnosed and Treated? 

To diagnose hearing loss, a good first step people can take is to visit with their primary care physician. Oftentimes, the cause of hearing loss could be as simple as excess ear wax or fluid in the ear. 

If the cause isn’t evident, the next step is for individuals to undergo formal hearing testing—under the advisement and supervision of an auditory professional. 

How is hearing testing performed?

“Testing is typically done by an audiologist, who has a doctorate degree,” Dr. Copeland said. “Or, there are licensed hearing aid professionals who also really know what they're doing in terms of testing. The hearing test should test not only the ability to detect sound, but also the clarity of what is being heard.” 

Will I need hearing aids?

If a determination is made that hearing aids could treat the hearing loss, individuals should commit to wearing them for at least several weeks before judging the effects. “It can take some time for each individual to fully adjust to the hearing aids and realize all the benefits,” said Dr. Copeland. “Because it often takes time with daily wear to acclimate, all hearing aids come with a 30-day trial to help with this process.” 

Working with an audiologist, you will be fit for a hearing aid that is geared for your specific kind of hearing loss. Typically, patients will attend follow-up visits over the next three to six months just to make sure everything is going well with the hearing aids and you aren’t experiencing any problems or need changes made. 

What are benefits of treating hearing loss?

“Hearing aids are a good and viable alternative to the social and environmental impact hearing loss can inflict,” said Polacek. 

Most importantly, treating hearing loss with hearing aids decreases the risks of developing dementia over time, one of the few factors for dementia that you can control. 

What if hearing aids aren't helping me?

There are severe cases of hearing loss when hearing aids are no longer able to help.  When the clarity of the sound is poor (not just a volume problem), hearing aids cannot overcome the lack of word understanding.  

“Many people know someone who wears hearing aids but still has a very hard time communicating.  Often, these people have lost the ability to understand the words clearly,” explained Dr. Copeland.  

Fortunately, these patients are still able to be helped with a device called a cochlear implant.  Cochlear implants are inserted with a brief surgery and can restore word clarity and understanding.   

“Don’t just accept that nothing can be done to help,” said Dr. Copeland. “We always have an option to help your hearing and bring back the quality of life you are looking for.”