What is it about ?
Hearing loss is when a person can no longer hear sounds and voices well.
The ear receives sounds in the form of vibrations via the outer ear (pinna and ear canal). Then, the sound passes through the middle ear (eardrum and ossicles) to reach the inner ear. The vibrations of sound are then converted, through the cochlea in the inner ear, into an electrical signal. This signal is transmitted to the brain through the auditory nerve.
A hearing loss may be due to a problem with the transmission system, the collection system, or both.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by a problem in the outer or middle ear, for example:
- obstruction of the ear canal;
- a otitis media or a cold;
- a large hole in the eardrum (which can be caused by a large pressure difference during an airplane flight or a diving session, by a ear infection (otitis) or by introducing a foreign body in the external ear canal);
- a condition of the inner ear;
- in rare cases, a complete contraction of the eardrum or an interruption in the chain of the ossicles.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by a problem in the inner ear or in the brain, for example:
- age-related hearing loss;
- a noise-induced deafness ;
- the Ménière’s disease ;
- a sudden deafness (the cause of which is not yet known);
- a persistent otitis media ;
- a tumor of the auditory nerve.
Deafness can also have an inherited cause or be a rare side effect of certain medicines, such as certain antibiotics or medicines for malaria (malaria).
How to recognize it?
The person has difficulty hearing and locating sounds in a noisy environment. Sudden deafness can occur within seconds or minutes. A noise-induced hearing loss is caused by trauma from prolonged exposure to noise or exposure to loud noise. A sudden tear of the eardrum can occur during major pressure differences, by plane or diving, for example. Most often, it is characterized by a hearing loss associated with pain in the ear. Hearing loss due to otitis media or a cold is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as ear pain, stuffy nose, fever (sometimes), etc.
How is the diagnosis made?
Hearing loss can be diagnosed by a hearing test. For a reliable result, the hearing test must be carried out in an acoustically isolated room and equipped with the necessary equipment, specially designed for this purpose. People who perform a hearing test need to be trained and able to assess the results. Doctors and audiologists assess the frequencies (in hertz) and intensities of sounds (in decibels) that can be heard in both ears. Depending on the results of the better ear, the hearing impairment is said to be mild, moderate, severe or deep. It is important to know why hearing is deteriorating.
Tuning fork tests can indicate if it is a transmission or perception problem. A combination of tuning fork tests and a hearing test can give a good idea of the hearing loss.
What can you do ?
- Ask the general practitioner to eliminate the cerumen when it blocks the ear canal. To do this, he can use water or a small hook. Do not try to do this on your own by introducing a object in ear, not even a cotton swab. You would only push the earwax deeper into the ear canal, and block it completely. The ears usually clean themselves. Just wipe off the earwax visible at the entrance to the ear canal.
- Protect your ears from noise by using suitable hearing protection, and when listening to music through earbuds, do not turn up the volume too much. This will help you avoid noise-induced deafness and limit further damage to hearing.
- Don’t be ashamed of your hearing loss, but talk to those around you. They will gladly take it into account. You can give them the following tips:
- Speak slowly and clearly, don’t speak too loudly.
- Show your face well and don’t put your hand in front of your mouth.
- Maintain eye contact and speak to only one person at a time.
- Do not leave more than two meters of distance between you.
- Turn off other sources of noise, such as television and radio.
- When you are in a busy place, isolate yourself in a separate room or a quiet area to talk.
What can your doctor do?
Depending on the probable cause of the hearing loss, the doctor will give you appropriate treatment or refer you to a specialist:
- If it is a plug in the ear canal, the general practitioner can usually eliminate it.
- If it is a otitis media or a cold, a nasal spray of physiological water or decongestant can give you relief. The latter should not be used for more than 5 days in a row.
- In some cases, for example with age-related deafness, where the problem lies with the inner ear, the doctor will advise you to try a hearing aid.
- If it is a sudden deafness, the doctor will refer you to a specialist as soon as possible.
Want to know more?
- Ear (image) – Larousse
- Anatomy and physiology of the ear (image and video) – microbiologiemedicale.fr
- Nasal vasoconstrictors (decongestants) – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
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