Hearing loss is a common health issue, with 50 million Americans having some degree of the condition. Despite its prevalence, many people receive hearing tests or treatment even though hearing loss can lead to a lower quality of life. However, understanding hearing loss, including causes and treatments, can help you make informed decisions about your health.
“Hearing loss affects the way you interact with the world which means it touches every part of how we connect, communicate, and experience everything around us. That’s why early diagnosis and personalized care are so important,” says Paul Judge, MD, ENT specialist at Saint Joseph Health System.
What is hearing loss?
A person is considered to have some degree of hearing loss, ranging from mild to profound, when their hearing falls below the normal threshold of 20 dB or better in both ears. Not all hearing loss is permanent, such as in the cases of aging, genetic disorders or frequent exposure to loud noises. Some hearing loss is temporary, like when you have an infection or go to a loud venue where you may have ringing in your ears for a certain period. There are also different types of hearing loss:
- Conductive. An obstruction in the ear stops or slows down the transmission of sound. This could be an infection, buildup of earwax or a foreign object like a piece of a cotton swab.
- Sensorineural. The most common type of hearing loss, sensorineural is related to the nerves and hair cells in the inner ear. When these become damaged, whether by aging or exposure to loud noises, the transmission of sound signals to the brain is slowed down.
- Mixed. As the name suggests, this type of hearing loss occurs as a combination of both mixed and sensorineural.
While hearing loss has many causes, the most common are:
- Aging
- Autoimmune diseases
- Ear infections
- Genetic factors
- Head trauma
- Noise exposure
- Ototoxic medications
- Upper respiratory infection
What are the signs and symptoms of hearing loss?
Because hearing loss is so common, it can be difficult to know which behaviors are normal and which are causes for concern. If you or a loved one experience any or all of the following symptoms, it may be time to speak with an ENT specialist or audiologist.
- Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
- Family or friends complain that you ask them to repeat often
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Frequently turning up the volume on the television
- Thinking that people are mumbling
- Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears)
- Withdrawal from conversations and social situations
If you believe that your hearing has changed, it’s best to seek a professional evaluation. Thankfully, a diagnosis is simple, usually beginning with a general physical exam and then moving on to a specialized hearing test. These can include:
- Audiogram: A chart that maps hearing sensitivity across different frequencies.
- Tympanometry: Measures eardrum movement to detect fluid or pressure issues.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE): Tests inner ear function, especially in newborns and children.
- Speech recognition tests: Evaluate how well you understand spoken words.
“If you’re noticing changes in how you hear, especially in conversations or noisy environments, it’s worth getting evaluated. Even subtle symptoms can signal a deeper issue that’s treatable,” says Dr. Judge.
What are the treatment options for hearing loss?
Unfortunately, there is no one treatment solution for hearing loss. It depends on the cause, type and severity. However, there are a wide range of options that can benefit different people. For example, hearing aids are common and help to amplify sound, with many modern models being discreet and customizable.
A more permanent solution is a cochlear implant. Instead of a hearing aid that simply increases external sounds, these implants bypass damaged parts of the ear entirely and directly stimulate the auditory nerve to the brain. While hearing from a cochlear implant is different from normal hearing and takes time to learn, it helps those understand sounds in their environment and improve their quality of life.
“We often use what’s called the 60/60 rule. if a patient needs sound amplified to 60 decibels to hear certain pitches, or if their speech clarity score is around 60%, meaning they’re only catching about every other word, that’s typically when we begin considering cochlear implantation,” says Dr. Judge.
ENT Services at Saint Joseph Health System
Saint Joseph Health System is expanding its commitment to whole-person care with comprehensive ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services in Indiana. These offerings are designed to meet the growing needs of patients experiencing hearing loss, sinus issues, voice disorders, and other ENT-related conditions.
Patients can expect:
- Expert care from board-certified otolaryngologists specializing in both medical and surgical treatments.
- Advanced diagnostic tools to accurately assess hearing loss and related conditions.
- Minimally-invasive procedures for sinus relief, ear surgeries, and voice restoration.
- Collaborative care that integrates audiology, speech therapy and primary care for a seamless patient experience.
Whether you're dealing with chronic ear infections, unexplained hearing changes or sinus discomfort, Saint Joseph Health System’s ENT team is here to help you breathe easier, hear better and live more fully.
