What are the Signs & Symptoms of Hearing Loss?

Are you forever being told your TV is too loud? Do you struggle to follow conversations in loud environments? You may be experiencing early signs of hearing loss.

In this guide we will cover what hearing loss is, the causes and how to recognise signs and symptoms in yourself or your friends and family.

If you do recognise any of the signs and symptoms listed follow our guide on what next steps you should take to protect your hearing health.

What do we mean when we say "hearing loss"? 

Hearing loss refers to partial or total inability to hear sounds and can be unilateral (affecting one ear) or bilateral (affecting both ears).

Hearing is a complex process involving the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, and the auditory nerve that connects the ear to the brain. When any part of this system is damaged or not functioning correctly, hearing loss can occur.

The severity of hearing loss can range from mild, where a person may have difficulty following conversations in loud environments or hearing soft sounds, to profound where no sound can be detected at all.

What are the 3 types of hearing loss?

Hearing loss is categorised into three main types: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, mixed hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

Occurs when sound waves are blocked or reduced in their passage through the outer ear or middle ear.

Common causes of conductive hearing loss include earwax build up, ear infections, foreign objects in the ear, abnormal bone growth (Ostosclerosis) or congenital abnormalities (structural issues present from birth).

This type of hearing loss reduces the loudness of sounds but typically does not affect clarity, in many cases it can be treated.

Click the following link if you’d like to read more on how earwax impaction can affect your hearing.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SHNL)

Occurs due to damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve which interferes with the transmission of sound signals to the brain.

SHNL can occur due to many factors, such as: aging (presbycusis), noise induced hearing loss, genetic factors (inherited hearing loss), Ototoxic medications, infections and inner ear disorders (meniere’s disease, acoustic neuroma).

Sensorineural hearing loss affects both loudness and clarity. This type of hearing loss tends to be permanent but many individuals with SHNL benefit from hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Click the following link if you would like to find out more information on hearing aids, or a more detailed look into sensorineural hearing loss.

Mixed hearing loss

Is a combination of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. This means that both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve are affected.

Mixed hearing loss is caused by a combination of factors, such as a person with age-related sensorineural hearing loss who is also suffering with an ear infection.

As mixed hearing loss present symptoms from both sensorineural hearing loss (loudness and clarity) and conductive hearing loss (loudness) treatment often involves addressing the conductive element first (e.g surgery, earwax removal, medication) and then managing the sensorineural aspect (hearing aids, cochlear implants).

What are the signs and symptoms of losing your own hearing?

Hearing loss tends to develop gradually, making it easy to overlook in its early stages.

Often people will attribute changes in their hearing to outside factors, such as background noise, tiredness or others not speaking clearly.

Recognising these early signs can help you seek help sooner and prevent further deterioration.

Read on below for a list of signs and symptoms which could indicate you are suffering from hearing loss, and what causes them:

You often ask people to repeat themselves

If you frequently find yourself asking people to repeat themselves, it may be a sign that you’re not catching parts of conversations. This often happens due to high frequency hearing loss, where consonants and softer speech sounds become harder to hear. This symptom is often attributed to sensorineural hearing loss (caused by aging, noise exposure etc) and occurs due to damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Conversations seem muffled or unclear 

Even when listening carefully, speech can seem muffled or unclear. This can be a symptom of either conductive hearing loss (caused by ear wax blockage, fluid in the middle ear, infections etc) or sensorineural hearing loss (caused by aging, noise damage etc) depending on whether the sound is distorted (sensorineural) or quieter (conductive).

You turn up the volume on the TV/radio higher than others prefer

If others comment that your TV or radio is too loud, but it seems normal to you, this could be a sign of reduced hearing sensitivity. Again, this can be a symptom of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

You struggle to follow conversations in noisy environments

Being unable to follow conversations in noisy environments is one of the earliest and most common signs of sensorineural hearing loss, as it indicates that your brain can no longer/struggles to separate speech from background noises effectively. When the inner ear is damaged (especially tiny hair cells in the cochlea) your ears lose their ability to separate and prioritise sound.

You feel fatigued after social interactions

Feeling fatigue after social interactions is another common symptom of untreated sensorineural hearing loss. Tiny hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea) are sensory receptors, they receive sound vibrations from the outer ear, this is then turned into signals sent via the auditory nerve to the brain. When these hair cells are damaged the signals become distorted or incomplete leading to the brain having to work harder to fill in the missing details via lip reading or guesswork. This symptom is often referred to as ‘listening fatigue’.

What are the signs and symptoms of someone else?

It is often easier to notice hearing loss in others than it is ourselves.

Whether they are turning up the volume on the tv too high or having difficulty maintaining conversations, these signs can point to sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss depending on the symptoms.

Being able to recognise the signs and symptoms your friends and family are displaying can assist with getting them the help they need to protect their hearing health.

Below we have listed common signs and symptoms to look out for and their causes:

They frequently ask you to repeat yourself

This symptom is most likely a sign of sensorineural hearing loss and can indicate that a person is having difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds or consonants.

They seem withdrawn or avoid social situations

If a person is struggling to follow conversations this can lead to ‘listening fatigue’, frustration or a feeling of being overwhelmed. This symptom is often associated with sensorineural hearing loss and generally tied to gradual, untreated hearing loss (particularly age-related hearing loss).

They speak unusually loud or quietly

Speaking unusually loud or quietly is a self-adjusting behaviour and can indicate that a person is unable to hear themselves clearly. This symptom can be a sign of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

With conductive hearing loss blockages within the ear can muffle their hearing, leading to altered speech volume.

A person with sensorineural hearing loss may have a reduced ability to regulate the volume in which they are speaking. As, when we speak we hear our own voice through both air conduction (sound waves travelling through the air to the outer ear) and bone conduction (vibrations travelling through the skull to the inner ear), this is known as the ‘auditory feedback loop’ and the feedback assists us with regulating our speaking volume, pitch and tone in real time.

With sensorineural hearing loss the inner ear is damaged, this damage disrupts the brain’s ability to accurately perceive sound and hear one’s own voice clearly leading to either excessive volume or overcompensating by talking very quietly.

They don’t respond when spoken to

Not responding when spoken to is often misinterpreted as inattention, however it can be a sign of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. In conductive hearing loss physical blockages in one or both ears could be affecting the person’s ability to hear.

Their TV/radio volume is unusually high

Having music or the TV turned up too high is often one of the first symptoms others notice. It can be applied to both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, and is typically an attempt to compensate for reduced hearing sensitivity.

I (or someone I know) has hearing loss symptoms - what should I do next?

Noticing signs of hearing loss in yourself or someone else can feel concerning, but the good news is there are simple and effective steps you can take to get the help or treatment you need.

Whether it’s age-related, noise induced or something temporary like a blockage or ear infection, early intervention is essential and the best way to protect and possibly improve your hearing.

Book a professional hearing test

If you or someone you know is experiencing any signs or symptoms of hearing loss listed above it is paramount to contact your GP or local hearing service for a professional hearing test. A hearing test can identify whether you/a person you know is experiencing conductive or sensorineural hearing loss, or a combination of both. This diagnosis is essential to determine next steps and treatment - be that hearing aids, implants, blockage removal, surgery, or further medical investigation.

Rule out ear infections or other medical causes

Certain ear infections, especially in the middle ear, can cause temporary discomfort and hearing loss. If experiencing signs of hearing loss alongside pain, pressure or discharge from the ear you should contact your GP. Treatment of the infection or inflammation can often see hearing restored to normal.

Review any ototoxic medications you’re taking with your GP

Some medications are known to be ototoxic (meaning damaging to the inner ear) and can affect hearing either temporarily or permanently. These include certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, high doses or NSAIDs or aspirin.

If you’ve recently started a new medication and noticed a change in your hearing it’s important to speak to your GP. Do not stop taking prescribed medication unless medical advice from your GP, however a review may identify a safer alternative for your hearing health in some cases.

Have your ears checked for wax or blockages

Conductive hearing loss can be caused by something as simple as earwax or a foreign object blocking the ear canal.

Excessive or impacted earwax can dull hearing and cause a ‘full’ sensation within the ear.

You should never try and remove earwax or foreign objects from the ear with cotton buds at home, as this can push the blockage further into the ear and create further issues.

Consider Microsuction Earwax removal

If it is identified that wax is causing hearing related issues, or if you believe wax may be causing you problems, consider Microsuction for your Earwax removal.

Performed by a professional, Microsuction is considered the safest and most effective way to remove Earwax. It is a quick, dry and gentle procedure, which involves an audiologist using a gentle suction to remove any excess earwax.

Unlike other earwax removal procedures, Microsuction does not involve any water, making it perfect for people with sensitive ears or eardrum issues. Most people report immediate improvement to their hearing after Microsuction.

Don’t Delay!

Delaying treatment or hoping the problem goes away often leads to worsening symptoms.

Acting early can allow you to experience relief from your symptoms sooner rather than later.

Book a Microsuction appointment with Ear View today and take the first steps to clearer hearing.