Experiencing Hearing Loss? Here's 14 Common Questions Answered

If you or a loved one are experiencing hearing loss, one of the most important steps you can take is to make an appointment with an audiologist. This specialized doctor can perform a hearing test to evaluate your possible hearing loss and make recommendations for treatment.

To better prepare for your audiologist appointment, we made a list of common questions to help you feel more informed and to use as a starting point for what you may want to discuss with your doctor.

1. What Is Causing My Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can be caused by several factors:

• Age: Age-related hearing loss is also called presbycusis and usually occurs gradually.¹ It is most common in the 60 to 69 age group, and men are twice as likely to have hearing loss than women.²
• Loud noises: Noise from things like machinery or concerts can damage the inner ear and result in permanent hearing loss.¹
• Earwax or fluid buildup: Hearing loss can be caused when sounds are blocked from moving from the eardrum to the inner ear.¹
• Ruptured eardrum: An eardrum can become damaged by infection, pressure or from putting objects in your ear (such as a cotton swab).¹
• Health conditions: Conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure can contribute to hearing loss.¹
• Medications: Certain medications — including some antibiotics, those used to treat cancer or heart disease and even aspirin at particular dosages — can cause hearing damage.¹
• Genetics: While some people are born with hearing loss, there are also hereditary diseases that cause hearing loss later in life.¹

2. What Type of Hearing Loss Do I Have?

There are three main categories of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural: This is the most common cause of hearing loss in adults, occurring when the inner ear or hearing nerve becomes damaged as a result of aging, exposure to loud noise, injury, disease, genetics or certain drugs.³
• Conductive: This type of hearing loss is most common in children with frequent ear infections. It occurs when sound waves are blocked from moving through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear due to earwax, a foreign object, fluid, infection, a bone abnormality or if the eardrum is injured.³
• Mixed: It is also possible to have a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.³
• Sudden deafness: If you or a loved one experiences sudden deafness at once or over the course of a few days, it is considered a medical emergency and you should contact a medical professional immediately.¹

3. How Severe Is My Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss of up to 25 decibels is still considered to be within the normal hearing range.

Hearing loss decibel chart⁴

4. Are There Any Treatment Options for My Hearing Loss?

The treatment depends on the level and type of your hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss is not usually treated medically or surgically.³ Hearing aids are the most common treatment and can be effective as there are different hearing aid styles and technologies.

In children, conductive hearing loss can often be treated by medical or surgical intervention, such as removing foreign objects or inserting ear tubes to relieve buildup and pressure.³

Sudden hearing loss may be reversed with medication, but the longer you wait to get treatment, the more you are at risk for permanent damage.³

Other types of hearing loss treatments include cochlear implants, assistive listening devices and therapy and medical treatments for ear infections or blockages in the inner ear.³

5. Can My Hearing Loss Be Improved or Reversed With Treatment?

If your hearing loss is age-related, it cannot be reversed, but hearing loss related to earwax buildup or ear infections may be reversible.⁵

6. Will A Hearing Aid Be Able to Help Me With My Specific Type and Degree of Hearing Loss?

After your hearing test, the audiologist will review the results and options with you to decide what treatment is best for your needs. Hearing aids are a common treatment option for hearing loss. ⁷

7. What Are the Risks and Benefits of Different Types of Hearing Aids?

There are several types of hearing aids, and finding the best one for you depends on the severity of your hearing loss, ear shape, age and price. Some fit in your ear canal and some go behind your ear.

• Behind the ear (BTE): As the name suggests, this hearing aid fits over and behind your ear. These are appropriate for any level of hearing loss. They are visible but offer volume controls and may have rechargeable batteries.⁷
• In the ear (ITE): These custom-made hearing aids fit in your ear and are best for those with mild to severe hearing loss. They have longer-lasting batteries, volume controls and better sound amplification, but can pick up wind and other noise and may become clogged with earwax.⁷
• Open fit (mini BTE): These are similar to full-size BTE aids but are smaller and less visible. They sit behind the ear and have a tube that runs into the ear canal. This type is best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss because they leave the ear canal more open, allowing you to hear some sounds naturally and amplifying more difficult-to-hear sounds.⁷
• In the canal (ITC): Fitting partially inside the ear canal, ITC hearing aids are much smaller and unobtrusive — a good option for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. But they can be difficult to adjust and become clogged with earwax.⁷
• Completely in canal (CIC) or mini CIC: This type of hearing aid is nearly invisible and won't pick up wind noise, but the batteries die faster and they don't usually have volume controls. They're best for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.⁷
• Receiver in canal (RIC): This hearing aid is similar to the behind-the-ear style but the speaker sits in your ear canal, which means it may become clogged with earwax and need cleaning more often than other types.⁷

8. How Often Do I Need to Have My Hearing Checked and My Hearing Aid Adjusted?

Experts recommend getting your hearing tested every 10 years until age 50 for adults, and every three years after that.⁴ You should get your hearing aids checked and/or adjusted every six months.⁸

9. Are There Any Other Assistive Devices That Could Help With My Hearing Loss?

For people with profound hearing loss, a surgically implanted hearing aid may be your best option.

There are three types of surgically implanted hearing aids:

• Middle ear implants attach to a bone in your middle ear to help send vibrations to your inner ear.⁹
• Bone-anchored implants attach behind your ear and send vibrations through your skill and into the inner ear.⁹
• Cochlear implants involve electrodes that are implanted in your inner ear. A transmitter is then placed under the skin and a hearing aid microphone is worn behind your ear. Cochlear implants are often recommended for children with severe hearing loss.¹⁰

10. What Can I Expect in Terms of Long-Term Effects and Prognosis for My Hearing Loss?

Taking advantage of your treatment options and taking measures to prevent other health issues can make living with hearing loss quite manageable.

11. How Can I Best Manage and Cope With My Hearing Loss?

The best thing you can do is get regular hearing tests and talk to your doctor if you notice signs of hearing loss. Besides the recommended treatment, a few other strategies include:

• Telling people you have difficulty hearing so they can speak slowly or more loudly
• Asking people to face you when they're speaking
• Telling people if you need something repeated
• Paying attention to facial expressions and gestures
• Finding a quiet place when you want to talk with someone¹

12. Are There Any Lifestyle Changes or Habits That Could Help Improve My Hearing?

Regular exercise and a healthy diet are always beneficial for keeping your mind and body in tip-top shape. Some supplements can help decrease your chances of losing your hearing, such as magnesium and potassium that help minimize high blood pressure and regulate fluid balance — two things that can contribute to hearing loss. Lastly, reducing exposure to loud noises by wearing ear plugs or ear coverings when around loud music, sounds, machinery or lawn equipment can go a long way in preventing hearing loss.⁶

13. Can Hearing Loss Cause Other Health Issues?

It's been shown that hearing loss can affect cognitive health, and that adults with hearing loss have a greater risk of developing dementia and faster cognitive decline. Even a small amount of hearing loss is linked to an increased risk of falls and can affect skills such as driving.¹

People with hearing loss may also become more depressed, anxious and withdrawn due to frustration or embarrassment around not being able to hear well. Older people can be mistaken for being confused or uncooperative when they actually just don't hear well.¹

14. Where Can I Find an Audiologist or Hearing Specialist?

A good place to start is your primary physician, who can refer you to an audiologist. Many hearing clinics and health facilities offer free screenings year-round or at certain times of the year. Search “hearing specialist near me" to find doctors in your area.

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The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings, and more.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women's Health Online, Headspace, and more.