Hearing Loss

Hearing impairment is a gradual loss in the ability to hear which occurs as you age. It can also occur in children, with some children suffering from hearing impairment congenitally from birth, or some of them acquiring it during their childhood.

For adults, aging and prolonged exposure to loud noise are the most common reason for hearing loss. The frequency of occurrence of hearing impairment increases in people aged 65 and above. Other ear disorders may also cause temporary hearing loss, such as ear blockage due to wax or an ear infection, but the hearing loss due to these causes can be reversed if timely professional treatment has been sought. In children, congenital hearing loss, i.e. being born with hearing loss could be hereditary or may develop during pregnancy, such as due to infection with rubella. Hearing impairment that is acquired during childhood may occur due to recurrent ear infections or other infectious diseases, such as meningitis.

In most cases, hearing loss cannot be reversed, especially in case of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve – sensorineural hearing loss.
However, if it is a symptom of another disorder and occurs because sound can’t travel through the ear because of earwax or fluid build-up or a punctured eardrum, prompt treatment with medicine or surgery may help restore your hearing ability – conducive hearing loss.

It is estimated that half of hearing impairment is preventable through proper care. Consistent and recommended immunization of children, proper care during pregnancy and avoiding loud noise can help prevent hearing impairment in children.

Exposure to loud noises due to the nature of one’s work, for example for factory workers, entertainment industry professionals, construction workers, etc. must also be controlled with the help of hearing protective gear, such as ear muffs and ear plugs designed to  reduce sound intensity.

When to seek expert advise

If you suspect that you have any of the signs of hearing impairment discussed above, you must talk to your doctor. You must particularly watch out for the symptoms in babies in children as they cannot communicate their problems clearly.

If a loss in hearing is interfering with your ability to carry out normal routine activities, and you seem to have trouble having conversations or feel a hearing loss in one or both ears, you should seek immediate medical advice.​

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