Hearing loss affects 16% of the French population, according to DRESS. Often overlooked, it spares no age group and develops progressively. Early detection is crucial to reducing its impact on patients' quality of life. Learn about the main symptoms, causes, degrees of hearing loss, and the groups most at risk.
Early Signs of Hearing Loss
What are the first signs of hearing loss? Mild hearing loss symptoms include difficulty hearing in noisy environments, asking others to repeat themselves, or frequently adjusting audio devices. For adults, common signs of hearing loss include:
- Difficulty following conversations in noisy or group settings.
- Sudden decline in communication quality.
- Feeling like people are mumbling, leading to frequent requests for repetition.
- Trouble identifying the direction of sounds, causing orientation challenges.
- Tinnitus, such as ringing or buzzing noises.
- Excessively increasing the volume on devices like TVs or radios.
- Unusual fatigue by the end of the day.
Unilateral hearing loss, affecting one ear, has unique symptoms:
- Turning the head toward the functional ear to hear better.
- Difficulty localizing sounds due to the brain losing spatial sound processing.
Severe or moderate hearing loss further impacts daily life with:
- Challenges in hearing high-pitched sounds like children's voices or birdsong.
- Social isolation and emotional strain from constantly asking others to repeat themselves, potentially leading to depression.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can stem from congenital or acquired causes:
- Congenital causes: 80% are genetic; 20% result from infections like cytomegalovirus during pregnancy.
- Acquired causes:
- Aging: Presbycusis, age-related hearing loss, is the most common, expected to affect 1 in 3 people by 2050.
- Noise exposure: Prolonged exposure at work or during leisure activities.
- Infections: Conditions like otitis or meningitis damage the inner ear.
- Medications: Ototoxic drugs, including some antibiotics and chemotherapy treatments.
Certain diseases, such as Ménière's disease and benign acoustic tumors, can also cause progressive hearing loss.
Degrees of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is classified into degrees measured through tests by ENT specialists:
- Mild loss (20–40 dB): Difficulty hearing in noisy environments.
- Moderate loss (40–70 dB): Difficulty following phone conversations and frequent device volume adjustments.
- Severe loss (70+ dB): Inability to hear conversations, even in quiet settings.
Prevention and Treatment
Early detection is vital. ENT consultations provide comprehensive hearing evaluations and solutions. From age 50, regular check-ups are recommended. Preventative measures include:
- Using ear protection in noisy environments.
- Lowering audio device volume and limiting prolonged use.
- Avoiding unprotected exposure to loud sounds.
Technological solutions include:
- Hearing aids for mild to severe hearing loss.
- Assistive listening devices for cases where traditional hearing aids are unsuitable.
Conclusion
Awareness of hearing loss symptoms is essential for timely, effective treatment. Whether mild or severe, hearing loss requires specialist care to improve daily quality of life. If you suspect hearing loss, schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist without delay.
