Do people seem to mumble a lot lately? Do you have trouble hearing in church or theaters? Is it hard to pick up what others say at the dinner table or at family gatherings? Does your family ask you to turn down the volume on the TV or radio?
These are signs of gradual, age-related hearing loss called presbycusis. High-pitched sounds are the ones to go first. Hearing loss from presbycusis cannot be restored, but hearing aids, along with the Self-Care Tips below can be helpful.
Hearing loss can also result from other things:
Acoustic trauma. This may be
caused by a blow to the ear or excessive noise. Excessive noise includes that heard from
low-flying airplanes when living near an airport, when flying in an airplane, or when
working with heavy, loud machines.
Blood vessel disorders, including high
blood pressure
A blood clot that travels to nerves in the
ear
Earwax that blocks the ear canal
Chronic middle-ear infections, or an
infection of the inner ear
Meniere's disease - a disease in which
there is excess fluid in canals of the inner ear, which results in tinnitus, dizziness,
gradual hearing loss, etc.
Multiple sclerosis
Syphilis
Brain tumor and small tumors on the
auditory nerve
Also, children can be born with hearing loss or a hearing impairment.
| In a Child: When your child is awake, does he or she not respond to any sound, even a whistle or loud clap? {Note: This may happen after a recent earache or upper respiratory infection, or airplane travel.}  |
 |
| In a Child or Adult: Are any of the following present with the hearing loss?  Discharge from the ear Earache Dizziness or feeling that things are
spinning around you Recent ear or upper respiratory infection Feeling that the ears are blocked or filled
with wax |
|
| Can you not hear a regular (nondigital)
watch ticking when held next to the ear? |
|
| Do you hear a ringing sound in one or both ears all
of the time? |
|
| Did you lose your hearing after being exposed to
loud noises such as those associated with airplanes, work or hobby-related loud noises
(i.e., heavy machinery, power tools, firearms, etc.), and has this not gotten better? |
 |
For Gradual, Age-Related Hearing Loss
(Presbycusis):
Ask people to speak clearly,
distinctly, and in a normal tone.
Look at people when they are talking to
you. Ask them to face you, too. Watch their expressions to help you understand what they
are saying.
Try to limit background noise when having a
conversation.
In a church or theater, sit up front.
To rely on sight instead of sound, install
a buzzer, flasher, or amplifier on your telephone, door chime, and alarm clock. Also, an
audiologist (hearing therapist) may be able to show you other techniques for
"training" yourself to hear better.
To Clear Earwax:
(Use only if you know that the eardrum is not perforated. Check with your doctor if
you are in doubt.)
Lie on your side. Using a syringe or
medicine dropper, carefully squeeze a few drops of lukewarm water into your ear (or have
someone else do this). Let the water remain there for 10-15 minutes and then shake it out.
Do this again, using only a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, or an
over-the-counter cleaner such as Murine Ear Drops or Debrox. Let the excess fluid flow out
of the ear.
After several minutes, follow the same
procedure using warm water again, letting it remain there for 10-15 minutes. Tilt the head
to allow it to drain out of the ear.
You can repeat this entire procedure again in 3 hours if the earwax has not cleared.
To Prevent Hearing Loss:
Don't put cotton-tipped swabs,
fingers, bobby pins, etc. in your ear.
Don't blow your nose with too much force.
It is better to do so gently with a tissue or handkerchief held loosely over the nostrils.
Avoid places that have loud noises
(airports, construction sites, etc.). Protect your ears with ear plugs.
Keep the volume on low when using radios,
stereos, cassette and compact disc (CD) players. If someone else can hear the music when
you are listening to one of these devices with earphones, the volume is too loud.
Wear earplugs when exposed to loud noises
from power tools, lawn mowers, etc.
Follow your doctor's advice for disorders
that can cause hearing loss. (Examples: Meniere's disease, high blood pressure, etc.)
Avoid prolonged use of medicines that cause
hearing loss, or overdosing on such medications. (Example: heavy use of aspirin,
streptomycin, quinine)
Also be aware of things that can help you hear sounds if your hearing is
impaired:
Hearing aids. (See your doctor.)
Devices made to assist in hearing sounds
from the TV and radio
Special equipment that can be installed in
your telephone by the telephone company
Portable devices made especially to amplify
sounds. (These can be used for movies, classes, meetings, etc.)
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/20/99