What are the signs and symptoms of hearing loss?

• Difficulty in understanding words against background noise
• Asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly
• Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
• Muffled quality of speech
• Withdrawal from conversations
• Avoidance of some social settings

What are the causes of hearing loss?

• Earwax blocking the ear canal
• Heredity
• Damage to the cochlea
• Ear infection
• Abnormal bone growths
• Tumors of the outer or middle ear
• Ruptured eardrum
• Those experiencing loud noises every day

Who are at risk?

• Aging
• Those experiencing loud noises every day
• Heredity
• Some medications like antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs
• Some illnesses that result in high fever, such as meningitis, may damage the cochlea

When to see a Doctor?

• Difficulty in understanding words against background noise
• Asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly
• Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
• Muffled quality of speech
• Withdrawal from conversations
• Avoidance of some social settings

What are the tests to diagnose hearing loss?

Hearing tests performed by an audiologist

What are treatment options?

• Hearing aid can be helpful by making sounds stronger and easier for you to hear if the problem is due to the inner ear.
• Ear syringing if you can't hear well because of earwax blockage
• Cochlear implant may be an option for you if there is severe hearing loss.

How to prevent hearing loss?

• Protect your ears in the workplace using earmuffs
• Have your hearing tested at least once in a year
• Avoid recreational risks such as riding a snowmobile, hunting, and listening to extremely loud music for long periods of time can damage your ears.

How to cope with hearing loss?

• Position yourself to hear
• Face the person with whom you're having a conversation.
• Turn off background noise
• Ask others to speak clearly
• Choose quiet settings
• Consider using an assistive listening device