Understanding Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is often a gradual process, developing over several years. Its early signs are easy to overlook, and many people remain unaware that they are affected until it begins to impact their daily lives. Often, family, friends, or colleagues are the first to notice changes in hearing.

At Help in Hearing, we’re here to help you recognise the signs of hearing loss and guide you towards the best solutions to maintain your hearing health.

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Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be classified into three main categories:

Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear, which prevent sound from being transmitted properly to the inner ear. It can often be temporary and treated through medical intervention or minor procedures.

Common causes of conductive hearing loss:

  • Earwax build-up causing a blockage
  • Middle ear infections (otitis media)
  • Glue ear (fluid in the middle ear)
  • Otosclerosis – a condition that affects the small bones in the ear, reducing their ability to vibrate
  • Perforated eardrum, which may result from infection, injury, or inserting objects into the ear
  • Damage to the ossicles (the tiny bones in the ear) due to trauma or severe infection

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve is damaged, preventing sound from being properly processed and transmitted to the brain. This type of hearing loss is usually permanent.

Possible causes include:

  • Age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis) – a natural decline in hearing ability with age
  • Exposure to loud noise (acoustic trauma) – common in noisy work environments
  • Genetics – some hearing loss is inherited from birth
  • Ototoxic medication – certain medications can damage the inner ear (e.g., high doses of quinine, aspirin, or chemotherapy drugs)
  • Infections, such as measles, mumps, or meningitis
  • Ménière's disease – a condition that affects balance and hearing
  • Acoustic neuroma – a non-cancerous tumour affecting the auditory nerve
  • Cholesteatoma – a growth in the middle ear that can damage surrounding structures

Mixed hearing loss combines both conductive and sensorineural elements, affecting multiple parts of the auditory system. Treatment varies depending on which underlying issues are present.

Recognising the Signs of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is often referred to as an “invisible condition”, as its symptoms can be subtle at first. Early signs can be missed, or people adapt by compensating—turning up the TV volume, asking others to repeat themselves, or avoiding noisy environments.

Do any of these sound familiar?

  • Difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy places
  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
  • Finding it harder to hear women and children
  • Struggling to hear on the phone
  • Turning up the TV louder than others prefer
  • Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
  • Avoiding social situations because of difficulty hearing
  • Feeling tired or mentally drained after listening for long periods

If you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s time to book a hearing test. Early diagnosis can help protect your hearing and prevent further decline.

The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect your ears—it can have far-reaching consequences for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Here are some common effects of untreated hearing loss:

  • Missing out on conversations and experiences
  • Increased anxiety and depression due to social withdrawal
  • Cognitive impact from reduced sound stimulation
  • Mental fatigue from constantly straining to hear
  • Decreased work performance
  • Safety risks, such as missing important alarms or warnings

Modern hearing aids offer a solution that can significantly reduce these risks. Although they won’t restore your hearing entirely, they can provide the necessary amplification to reconnect you with the world around you.

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Why Early Intervention Matters

It’s natural to feel hesitant about seeking help for hearing loss, especially if you’re worried about wearing hearing aids. However, the sooner you take action, the easier the transition will be. Early intervention helps preserve the brain’s neural pathways for sound processing, making it simpler to adjust to hearing aids later on.

Delaying treatment, on the other hand, can lead to further cognitive strain and make it harder to adapt when you do seek help.

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Should You Have Your Hearing Tested?

If you suspect you may have hearing loss—or even if you’re just curious about your hearing health—it’s a good idea to book a hearing test. At Help in Hearing, our expert audiologists use state-of-the-art technology to provide thorough, comfortable hearing assessments.

Take the First Step Today

Your hearing is vital to your quality of life. Don’t wait—get the support you need and rediscover the sounds you’ve been missing.

Book your hearing test today in Marlow, Farnham Common, and Henley-on-Thames.

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