According to the National Institute on Aging, about one-third of older adults have hearing loss. The chances of developing hearing loss can increase with age.

Without treatment, sudden hearing loss can affect your ability to function and quality of life. Unfortunately, many people who experience hearing loss don’t want to admit they’re having trouble.

What causes acute hearing loss, and what hearing restoration treatments are available? Read on to find out!

Signs of Acute Hearing Loss

You may not realize you’re beginning to experience hearing problems. Consult a licensed medical professional if you:

Think people are mumbling when they talk
Have trouble understanding phone calls
Ask people to repeat themselves often
Experience listening fatigue
Have difficulty hearing consonants
Speak too loudly or softly
Avoid of social settings
Need to turn up the volume often
Find it difficult to follow conversations

If you experience these signs of hearing loss, consult a doctor right away. They’ll assess your hearing to determine the cause and best course of treatment.

Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can range from mild to total loss. Here are a few common types of hearing loss.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sudden hearing loss, or sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) worsens over three days or less. In most cases, it only affects one ear. Common accompanying symptoms include vertigo and tinnitus.

SSNHL is considered a medical emergency. You may develop permanent hearing loss without immediate treatment.

Damage to the cochlea (organ of hearing) or auditory nerve (which transmits information from the cochlea to the brain) can cause sensorineural hearing loss. Common types of sensorineural hearing loss include hearing loss from aging and noise exposure.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs due to problems in the middle or outer part of the ear. For example, fluid can build up behind the eardrum or wax can clog the ear canal. These problems can cause sudden hearing loss.

These conditions are usually easily treated.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is an audiological and neurological condition. It’s the perception of sound when no noise is present. For example, you may hear:

Ringing
Clicking
Swooshing
Whistling
Buzzing
Hissing

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about 10% of the US (over 25 million Americans) have some form of tinnitus. About two million find it debilitating.

Tinnitus can accompany other types of hearing loss. It’s a symptom (not a disease).

Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss

Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

Infections (mumps, meningitis, Lyme disease)
Vascular diseases (stroke)
Autoimmune diseases (lupus)
Ear diseases (Meniere’s)
Trauma to the ear (loud noises or a concussion)
Tumors (acoustic neuroma)
Medications that are toxic to the ear
Neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis or migraines)

If you experience acute hearing loss, visit a doctor. They’ll conduct a physical examination to determine if you have sensorineural hearing loss.

Otherwise, schedule hearing tests once a year. Regular checkups can help you seek treatment as soon as you experience symptoms.

Age-Related Hearing Issues

Hearing loss can affect your cognitive health and ability to function. For example, seniors with hearing loss have a greater risk of developing dementia. Your memory, concentration, and other cognitive abilities may decline.

According to this study, people who use hearing aids and other restorative devices have a lower risk of long-term cognitive decline than those without aids. Seniors who can’t hear well may withdraw from others or become depressed.

Some older people are mistakenly thought to be confused because they can’t hear well. This can lead to loneliness and social isolation.

Hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of falls. Receiving treatment may help reduce your risk of fall-related injuries.

Senior Audiology Treatments

Assistive devices, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, may help if you have hearing loss. These devices can:

Provide alerts
Amplify sounds
Help you communicate

There are two ways to get a hearing aid: over-the-counter or by prescription. You can schedule an appointment with a hearing aid specialist if you have complicated or significant hearing loss. Your specialist will fit and adjust the device based on your needs.

About 80% of hearing loss cases can be treated with hearing aids, according to the Hearing Health Foundation. However, only one in four people use their hearing aids.

Cochlear implants help people who are hard of hearing or profoundly deaf. They create electrical signals that help the brain recognize sounds. Talk to your doctor to determine which device is right for you.

Illnesses that cause SSNHL may cause permanent damage to the inner ear. This can result in permanent hearing loss. Seeking treatment right away may affect your recovery.

The severity of your SSNHL may affect your recovery time. Consult a doctor right away if you begin experiencing symptoms.

Coping With Ear Health Emergencies

If you experience age-related hearing issues:

Let friends and family members know
Ask people to speak louder and more clearly
Let people know if you don’t understand
Find a good place to listen (without noise disturbances)
Pay attention to what is being said
Pay attention to gestures and facial expressions

Consider moving into a senior living community. They may help by:

Offering assistance with hearing aid fitting and maintenance
Providing access to assistive technology
Applying communication strategies

Your senior living community’s trained staff will use and help you apply effective communication strategies. Assistive technology (such as amplified phones and listening systems) can help you communicate easily and clearly.

You’ll have the support of the staff and other residents. With help, you can remain engaged in social activities, avoid social isolation, and enjoy a better quality of life.

Prioritize Hearing Restoration

If you experience sudden hearing loss, don’t wait to ask for help. Begin treatment right away before the problem worsens.

Remember, living in a senior living community can help you apply effective senior audiology strategies. Discover Morada Midwest City for quality senior living services and amenities catered to your individual needs.

At Morada Midwest City, you can enjoy safety, maintain your independence, and foster social connections. Schedule your tour today to learn more about our senior living community.