hearing loss: causes, symptoms, treatment

hearing loss can have serious social and mental health implications, causing people to withdraw from others, and experience anxiety and depression.

by dave yasvinski

published apr 05, 2023

last updated apr 17, 2023

4 minute read

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4 minute read

join the conversation

you may not even realize you are losing your hearing

sixty per cent of canadians between the ages of 19 and 79 have a hearing health problem. getty

age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, occurs slowly over time and can result in the partial or complete inability to detect sounds in one or both ears. many factors can contribute to the gradual loss of hearing as we age, including changes to the middle ear, chronic exposure to loud noises and even some medical conditions. recent research suggests there may also be a genetic component at play. there are three main types of hearing loss, according to canadian hearing services: sensorineural, conductive and mixed.

sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type, occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged over time, either by the aging process or other factors, such as excessive noise, viral or bacterial infections or certain medications. conductive hearing loss is the result of a mechanical problem in the inner or outer ears that prevents sound from properly travelling through the ear canal, ear drum or middle ear. this can be caused by a number of issues, including infection, perforation of the ear drum or even the buildup of wax. mixed, as the name implies, is a combination of the other two and means both the middle and inner ears are impacted.

hearing loss can be a frustrating experience that leaves people feeling disconnected or isolated from the world around them. if the level of loss is severe, it can result in anxiety and depression. although it isn’t always possible to recover the ability to hear, certain impediments are preventable and others can be improved through treatment.

symptoms of hearing loss

hearing loss occurs so gradually it can be difficult to detect. symptoms, when they appear, can be hard to come to terms with and cause some people to deny the issue or withdraw from social situations they feel will make them uncomfortable. these symptoms can include:

ringing or buzzing in both ears (also known as tinnitus)
straining to hear
constantly needing words repeated
frequently misunderstanding conversations, especially in crowded environments
favouring one ear
talking louder than necessary
setting the tv or other sound sources to louder than usual
being bothered by background noises
struggling to carry phone conversations
feeling the need to avoid social settings

how is hearing loss diagnosed?

a doctor will typically perform a physical examination if a patient is reporting symptoms of hearing loss. this can reveal certain issues, including the buildup of wax, infection or even the way the ear itself is formed. other tests, according to the mayo clinic, can include:

screening tests — a whisper test, where one ear is covered while the other tries to detect sounds of different volumes, can help determine the extent of the issue
tuning fork tests — these tests can help locate the source of the loss
audiometer tests — typically performed by a specialist, these more advanced tests determine the range of sounds detectable by both ears
imaging tests — a ct scan or mri may be prescribed if the suspected source of the problem is an injury or tumour

how is hearing loss treated?

addressing the symptoms of hearing loss can vary depending on the type and severity of the issue. options include:

removing ear wax — one of the few forms of loss that can be reversed, a doctor can remove any blockages caused by wax
surgery — some forms of surgery, including one that inserts tubes into the ear to prevent chronic infections, can improve or even restore hearing
medication — antibiotics can sometimes reverse infection-related hearing loss and certain steroids can ease the swelling that may result from exposure to loud noises
hearing aids — devices worn inside or outside the ear can help restore lost hearing. if these are ineffective, cochlear implants may be useful for loss that originates in the inner ear

preventing hearing loss

the best way to avoid hearing loss is to protect your ears. this involves avoiding areas that are excessively noisy and using plastic earplugs or glycerin-filled earmuffs when attendance is mandatory. if you frequently find yourself in such environments, getting regular hearing tests can help you keep tabs on your hearing and allow you to take preventative steps if loss begins to occur. you should also avoid hobbies that are prone to loud noises, such as snowmobiling or listening to loud music.

how many canadians live with hearing loss?

according to statistics canada, 60 per cent of canadians between the ages of 19 and 79 have a hearing health problem — either audiometrically measured hearing loss (23 per cent), tinnitus (22 per cent) or both (14 per cent). many canadians between the ages of 40 and 79 aren’t even aware they have a problem.

support for hearing loss
for more information on hearing loss or to find support, including counselling, for any related issues, check out the canadian hard of hearing association or the canadian association of the deaf.

dave yasvinski is a writer with  healthing.ca

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