Info on

Hearing Loss

28 December 2023

Hearing loss is a common phenomenon among elderly people; however, various measures are available today for treating hearing loss and for hearing rehabilitation.

Symptoms of hearing loss include having trouble hearing what people say on the telephone, on television, in lectures, etc., difficulty following a conversation and understanding quick or remote speech, differences between the two ears in hearing ability (unilateral hearing loss), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), etc. Hearing loss diagnosis is performed through tests and according to the results, hearing aids are adapted to help improve the quality of life.

Hearing loss is a common phenomenon among elderly people. Approximately 30% of older adults over the age of 65 suffer from hearing difficulties to some degree. It is important to point out that today, various measures are available to treat people suffering from hearing loss and help them rehabilitate their hearing and restore their quality of life.

Therefore, when you start having difficulty hearing or feel any other symptoms, it is sensible to refer for diagnosis and professional help as soon as possible.

Hearing loss is associated with impaired quality of life in several fields:

  • Social

    Difficulty to participate in face-to-face conversations or talk on the phone.

  • Health

    Hearing loss increases the risk for falls by 21%, and has been proven to be a risk factor for dementia.

  • Emotional

    Hearing loss is associated with embarrassment, loneliness, impaired self-image, and self confidence.

  • Functional

    Inability to hear and comprehend impairs the ability to respond to the environment.

How do I know if I have hearing loss?  

If one or more of the following symptoms appear it is recommended to refer to the family doctor as soon as possible:

  • Difficulty hearing when talking on the phone
  • Difficulty following a conversation involving two people or more
  • Having to ask people to repeat themselves, to ask “what?” again and again, and sometimes to feel disheartened and give up understanding what is being said
  • When you need to turn the TV volume up to hear clearly
  • Having difficulties hearing what is being said when there is background noise
  • People speaking around you sound unclear or mumbling
  • Difficulties hearing people speaking from a distance, making you get closer
  • Having difficulties understanding speech, especially rapid speech
  • Having difficulties listening to lectures, meetings, watching a movie, TV and theatre shows, as well as listening to radio programs or podcasts
  • Differences in hearing ability between the left and the right ear
  • Ringing in the ears, accompanied by hearing loss  

Causes of hearing loss  

  • Gradual processes occurring with age (for example, auditory bones or auditory nerve damage)
  • Earwax build-up in the ear canal
  • Present or past viral or bacterial infections that have damaged hearing
  • Injuries or damages to the ears or head
  • Medication’s effect, for example high dosage of antibiotics (such as Gentamicin) administered for severe inflammations, chemotherapy medications (such as Cisplatin), and even high dosage of Aspirin; tumors (even benign)
  • Hereditary diseases

Stages in diagnosing hearing loss

Initial decision about the need for further inquiry

Examination by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist (with the family doctor’s referral or by direct referral).

If necessary, your doctor will refer you for a more thorough examination of the ears and related areas.

Once the doctor identifies further symptoms, he or she will refer you for a more thorough examination, such as cleaning the wax build-up blocking the ear canal and impairing hearing.

Occasionally, the doctor will decide on a specific therapy or provide you with a referral for hearing screening in a hearing clinic (audiology clinic).

The goal of hearing screening in a hearing clinic is to identify the cause of hearing loss (for example, sound conduction problem in the ear canal and middle ear, a problem with the auditory nerve, etc.).

Furthermore, screening assists establishing the rate of hearing loss in each ear and the degree of severity.

Hearing screening is performed by a speech therapist and is painless.

According to the hearing screening results, a hearing aid or other rehabilitative measures will be adapted, such as Cochlear Implant, bone bridge, or hearing aids.