Symptoms Of Hearing Damage

Hearing damage can occur gradually over time or suddenly due to exposure to loud noise or trauma. The symptoms of hearing damage can vary from person to person, but there are some common signs to look out for.

One of the most noticeable symptoms of hearing damage is difficulty hearing in noisy environments. This can make it challenging to follow conversations in crowded places or to distinguish between different sounds. You may also find that you need to turn up the volume on your TV or music player to hear properly.

Another common symptom is ringing or buzzing in the ears, known as tinnitus. This can be a constant or intermittent sound and can vary in intensity. Tinnitus can be very distressing and affect your ability to sleep or concentrate.

If you have hearing damage, you may also experience a feeling of fullness or pressure in your ears. This can be uncomfortable and make it difficult to hear properly.

Hearing loss that occurs gradually as you age is common though exposure to loud noises also significantly contributes to reduced hearing and sometimes deafness. You can't reverse most types of hearing loss though it is advisable to contact your GP or hearing specialist if you are in any doubt about your hearing. Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include, muffling of speech and other sounds. Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd. Trouble hearing consonants and frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly. Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio or perhaps the withdrawal from conversations and the avoidance of some social settings.

Factors that may damage or lead to loss of the hairs and nerve cells in your inner ear include the exposure to loud sounds which can damage the cells of your inner ear. Damage can occur with long-term exposure to loud noises or from a short blast of noise, such as from a gunshot. Occupational noises where loud noise is a regular part of the working environment, such as farming, construction or factory work can lead to damage inside your ear. Recreational noises such as firearms and jet engines can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss can have a significant effect on your quality of life as it can make conversations more difficult leaving some people experiencing feelings of isolation. The following steps can help you prevent noise-induced hearing loss and avoid worsening of age-related hearing loss. Limiting the duration and intensity of your exposure to noise is the best protection. In the workplace ear plugs or certified Hearing Defence should be deployed. Consider regular hearing tests if you work in a noisy environment. Activities such as hunting, using power tools or listening to rock concerts can damage your hearing over time. Wearing hearing protectors or taking breaks from the noise can protect your ears.

In some cases, hearing damage can cause dizziness or vertigo. This can make you feel like the room is spinning or that you are off-balance.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention from an audiologist or hearing specialist. They can perform a hearing test and recommend appropriate treatment, such as hearing aids or other assistive devices.