Hearing loss in adults
Hearing loss may be
acquired later in life. Causes include the long term sequelae of childhood ear
infections like a perforated eardrum or cholesteatoma and hearing loss
secondary to aging, ototoxic drugs application, noise-induced loss, barotrauma,
occupation related noise exposure, ear surgery or intracranial brain surgery,
intracranial tumours, unexplained sudden hearing loss, etc.
Hearing
loss in one or both ears
Hearing loss can happen
in either one (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Different hearing problems
may co-exist in the same ear or in both ears. The severity of the hearing loss
for each ear may vary from a mild loss (cannot hear someone whispering into
your ear) to a profound hearing loss (cannot hear someone shouting into your
ear) and anything in between.
Patients with a unilateral hearing loss, normal hearing ability may exist on the other side. These sufferers tend to hear only in one ear, and therefore fail to be able to stereo-localise sounds as other normal individuals i.e. they cannot tell the direction of sounds. They also particularly have problems in any noisy environment, such as in a meeting, restaurant, bar, etc. Here the voice of the speaker they are trying to listen to, competes with the noise of the background, which drowns it out. Hence it is hard for them to concentrate on one sound source and listen clearly. Certain adaptations in lifestyles are essential like cocking their heads to one side so the better hearing ear hears what is being said, walking always with friends / family standing on the side of their good ear, attending meeting early to sit in a position that would be advantageous to hearing better in the meeting, etc.
For patients with bilateral hearing loss, usually caused by noisy working environment over time and aging, they require a louder volume of sound stimulus in order to hear better. Turning the television, hifi, or radio up louder appears to do the trick but their family, friends and neighbours may, and do, find it disturbing.
Patients with a unilateral hearing loss, normal hearing ability may exist on the other side. These sufferers tend to hear only in one ear, and therefore fail to be able to stereo-localise sounds as other normal individuals i.e. they cannot tell the direction of sounds. They also particularly have problems in any noisy environment, such as in a meeting, restaurant, bar, etc. Here the voice of the speaker they are trying to listen to, competes with the noise of the background, which drowns it out. Hence it is hard for them to concentrate on one sound source and listen clearly. Certain adaptations in lifestyles are essential like cocking their heads to one side so the better hearing ear hears what is being said, walking always with friends / family standing on the side of their good ear, attending meeting early to sit in a position that would be advantageous to hearing better in the meeting, etc.
For patients with bilateral hearing loss, usually caused by noisy working environment over time and aging, they require a louder volume of sound stimulus in order to hear better. Turning the television, hifi, or radio up louder appears to do the trick but their family, friends and neighbours may, and do, find it disturbing.
Reference: entific.com.hk/
The
information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should
consult ENT Specialists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information
above.
