For most people who have hearing loss, both of their ears will be affected. This type of hearing loss is called binaural hearing loss. However, it is possible to lose hearing in only one ear, which can happen at birth or later. Hearing loss in only one ear is known as unilateral loss. If the loss in the affected ear is profound, it is called single-sided deafness. The loss of hearing can occur suddenly or gradually. When the loss is...
Many people with mild or moderate hearing loss rely on hearing aids to help them hear what others say. Other than some potential surgical procedures, hearing devices have traditionally been the type of help people have turned to when dealing with hearing loss. However, gene therapy might be a way to address hearing loss in the future. Researchers across the U.S. are investigating gene therapy as a possible way to help people recover their hearing abilities. Gene therapy in the...
Exposure to loud environmental noise can cause permanent damage to the tiny hairs located inside of the cochlea. Your cochlea is an organ used for hearing inside of the inner ear. When these small hairs are damaged or destroyed, it can reduce your ability to hear sounds in a certain range. The damage is called noise-induced hearing loss, and it can either be immediate or gradual. immediate noise-induced hearing loss can occur when you are exposed to a sudden,...
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of people ages 60 and older have a hearing loss. As more people live longer, the number of people with hearing loss is expected to reach 86 million by 2040. Hearing damage accumulates as people grow older, and many people who suffer from hearing loss were likely exposed to loud noise, causing damage over time. Repeated or prolonged exposure to noise of 85 decibels or higher can...
Suddenly experiencing vertigo can be frightening. You might change your body position and feel the world spinning or feel like you are falling. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV might cause you to experience these sensations. BPPV happens to people of all ages and becomes more common as people grow older. Younger people might experience BPPV after other medical conditions, including migraines, ear infections, or mild concussions. BPPV is normally not life-threatening, but sudden dizziness could put you at...
Many people have mistaken beliefs about people who have hearing loss. Because it can be invisible to others, hearing loss is not as easily recognizable as a disability to others in the way that mobility difficulties are. Clarifying misconceptions about hearing loss can help to reduce the stigma that people experience and lead to greater acceptance and understanding. Here are 10 of the most common misconceptions that many people have about what it means to have a hearing loss...
Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 has been linked to several long-term problems, including lung, heart, and neurological damage. Emerging research demonstrates that COVID-19 may also be associated with tinnitus and hearing loss. Other types of bacterial and viral infections are known to cause hearing loss. However, other types of coronavirus, including MERS and SARS, have not been linked to hearing problems. SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, appears to work differently. Recent research demonstrates that it may be linked to...
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the importance of face masks apparent because they can significantly reduce or eliminate the transfer of virus-containing respiratory droplets. For people who have hearing impairments or hearing loss, however, wearing face masks can pose a barrier to communication whether they are wearing hearing aids or not. Face masks can change the volume of sound from speaking and the clarity and tone of the words that are spoken. They can muffle sounds. People who have learned...
Being exposed to loud noises for a long period can cause damage to the structures of the ear. This damage can lead to tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears. People with tinnitus may have difficulty hearing, and the ringing sound can interfere with daily life. Tinnitus can be temporary and subside over a few hours. However, the damage to the ear structures can also be permanent, making it important for you to try to prevent additional hearing loss....
People are exposed to loud sounds throughout their lives, including people who live in urban environments. However, city noises are normally not loud enough to damage your hearing. However, if you are consistently exposed to sounds that exceed a certain threshold of loudness, they can damage your hearing over time. Measurement of sounds The intensity of sounds is measured in decibels. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sounds can be designated as harmless or dangerous based on...
