On the surface, if you have good hearing, it may seem like life would not change much if you developed a hearing loss. However, we know that the impact hearing loss can have on a person’s mental wellbeing and physical safety can be huge.
When most people imagine someone with hearing loss, they conjure up the image of an older person. And while it is true that age-related hearing loss is one of the most common causes, there are many different medical and environmental causes of hearing loss that can happen at any age.
Below we explain some causes of hearing loss that you may not expect, and how to get support if you are concerned about your hearing. If you ever experience a sudden or rapid loss in your hearing, don’t delay in seeking urgent medical care.
The humble headphone is now part of daily life for so many of us. However, many devices allow headphone volume to exceed what we would consider a ‘safe’ limit. Your ears adapt to higher volume settings over time, meaning that you can damage your hearing even if the volume does not seem uncomfortable.
Tips: Try to get into the habit of turning your volume down a couple of notches when you start listening. If you are listening at a louder volume, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends limiting your listening time to 15 minutes. Also, check the settings on your mobile device as many devices now offer settings which can limit your volume exposure. You can find more information about safe listening practices from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This may be surprising, but long or repeated exposure to the sound of a hair dryer, especially if held close to the ears, is loud enough to contribute to hearing loss over time.
Tips: If you work in a hair salon, consider wearing ear protection such as earplugs. If you use a hairdryer at home, why not only use it to style your hair for special occasions, or embrace your natural air-dried look more often? There are also some lower-noise hair dryers on the market that may be worth looking into.
Often, the reason for hearing loss can be simple: too much earwax! For some people, as well as hearing loss, this can lead to dizziness, earache, and infection if it is not cleared.
Tip: Never put anything into your ears, including your fingers, to try to remove the wax yourself. If you think you may have a build-up of wax in your ears, speak to your pharmacist who can suggest some ear drops to remove excess wax. If this does not work, you may wish to see an accredited earwax removal specialist who can remove the wax safely.
Sports are such an important part of life for so many of us. Unfortunately, the mass cheering at live events and at pubs can be too loud for our ears and can put us at risk of hearing damage.
Tip: If you hear ringing in your ears after being in a loud environment (a type of tinnitus) this is a sign that your ears have been exposed to loud noise for too long. If forgoing the footie is too much, consider wearing ear protection when you watch a game live or at the pub.
The charity Diabetes UK estimates that five million people in the UK are living with a type of diabetes. Unfortunately, complications relating to diabetes, including nerve damage and ear infections, can result in hearing loss for some people.
Tips: If you are diabetic and are concerned about your hearing, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. The NHS website has more information about diabetes.
Having cardiovascular disease increases the chances of someone experiencing hearing loss as it can reduce the level of blood flowing to the auditory system. According to the British Heart Foundation there are 6.4 million people living with CVD in England alone.
Tips: If you have cardiovascular disease and are concerned about your hearing, speak to your doctor as soon as possible. The NHS website has more information about CVD.
If you ever experience a sudden or rapid loss in your hearing, seek urgent medical care at an Accident & Emergency department, and ask to see an ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat) specialist.
It can be unsettling when your hearing changes. It is important to remember that you are not alone, and that seeking help as soon as possible can help prevent further issues from developing. As a first step, see an audiologist who can investigate the causes of your hearing changes further. You can be referred by your GP or visit a private audiologist.
Hi everyone, I'm Matt and I look after the charity's social media, blog and e-newsletter.
I spend a lot of my day talking about our hearing dog superstars - it's a hard life!
Registered charity in England and Wales no. 293358 and in Scotland no. SC040486. Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal.