What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is a sudden or gradual decrease in how well you can hear. Depending on the cause, it can range from mild to severe and can be reversible, temporary, or permanent. Hearing loss is also known as hearing impairment, which includes being born without hearing (congenital hearing loss). This topic focuses only on gradual hearing loss. Gradual hearing loss affects people of all ages and is the third most common long-term (chronic) health problem in older Americans.1 It affects up to 40% of people age 65 and older and up to 80% of people older than 85.2 If you have hearing loss, you may not be aware of it, especially if it has developed gradually. Your family members or friends may be the first to notice. For example, they may notice that you are having difficulty understanding what people are saying, especially when many people are talking at the same time or there is background noise, such as a radio playing. Hearing loss can affect what and how much you do in the workplace and
Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe or profound. Depending on the parts of the ear affected and the extent of the damage, how one individual experiences hearing loss can differ quite a bit from another. A proper hearing loss diagnosis is usually made by an audiologist and otolaryngologist, professionals who specialise in hearing health. For adults experiencing hearing loss, a referral to an audiologist is made after initial screening tests show there may be a problem. In addition to routinely testing your hearing, it is important to tell your health care provider about any changes in hearing you experience.
