Hearing is one of our most essential senses, connecting us to conversations, sounds of nature, and everyday noises that enrich our lives. "Unfortunately, hearing loss is a condition that often develops gradually, making it difficult to detect at first," says Angel F. De La Cruz, AuD, FAAA, Audiology at ARC Round Rock. "By identifying the early signs, you can take proactive steps to manage and potentially preserve your hearing health."
What is hearing loss?
Hearing loss can range from mild to profound and may impact one or both ears. It can make sounds softer, distort speech, and, in severe cases, even cause deafness. There are three main types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss affects the outer ear or middle ear and often results from blockages, infections, or physical damage.
- Sensorineural hearing loss occurs in the inner ear or auditory nerve and is often related to aging (referred to as presbycusis), exposure to noise, or certain diseases.
- Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural, affecting multiple parts of the ear.
How do you know if you are starting to lose your hearing?
Early signs of hearing loss can be subtle, but some common symptoms may point to a problem:
- Difficulty understanding speech: Conversations may seem mumbled, and following dialogue in noisy places becomes challenging, often due to changes in sound clarity.
- Asking others to repeat themselves: Missing parts of conversations frequently might signal sensorineural hearing loss or other hearing issues.
- Having to adjust the volume: Turning up the volume on your TV or phone more than usual can indicate a gradual hearing decline.
- Difficulty hearing certain sounds: High-pitched sounds, like children's voices or the higher notes in music, may become hard to hear.
- Ringing in the ears: Known as tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing sound can be an early warning sign of hearing loss. Tinnitus can have various causes, including exposure to loud noise or age-related hearing changes.
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can develop for many reasons, including:
- Aging: Natural aging can lead to presbycusis, a gradual decline in hearing over time. This form of sensorineural hearing loss is often accompanied by tinnitus.
- Noise exposure: Repeated exposure to loud sounds—such as concerts, power tools, or loud machinery—can damage delicate structures in the inner ear and contribute to hearing loss.
- Diseases and infections: Conditions such as otitis media (middle ear infection) and otitis externa (outer ear infection) can cause conductive hearing loss by blocking the ear canal or damaging the ear's structure. Health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, may also impair blood flow to the auditory system, affecting overall health and hearing.
- Genetics: Some people inherit conditions that make them more susceptible to hearing problems and may experience a decline in both visual perception and hearing over time.
- Trauma or injury: Injuries that affect the outer ear, middle ear, or head can disrupt the hearing pathway and lead to hearing issues.
How can untreated hearing loss impact overall health?
Untreated hearing loss can lead to a variety of other health-related problems or be an indicator of other serious medical issues such as:
- Alzheimer's and dementia: According to the Hearing Health Foundation, those with even mild hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia. This risk increases with the severity of hearing loss.
- Depression, anxiety, and stress: Research from the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) has found a strong relationship between hearing loss and depression.
- Brain atrophy: Researchers from Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging found that the brains of older individuals with untreated hearing loss shrink faster.
- Increased risk for falls: Because the ear plays a role in balance, hearing loss can lead to an increased risk for falls. Studies suggest even mild hearing loss can triple your risk.
Recognizing early signs and consulting an audiologist can be essential steps to preserving your hearing. "Acting quickly can make a big difference," says Dr. De La Cruz. "Hearing aids or protective steps can help prevent further communication and auditory cognition decline. If you notice any symptoms, don't ignore them—taking care of your hearing now helps keep you connected to the world around you."
Make an appointment today
Dr. De La Cruz sees patients of all ages. Make an appointment through ARC MyChart, ARC Help Me Book, or by calling ARC Round Rock at 512-244-9024.
About ARC in Round Rock
There are two ARC clinics in Round Rock, ARC Round Rock and ARC Sendero Springs.
ARC Round Rock offers Allergy and Asthma, Audiology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Podiatry, Rheumatology, and Sports Medicine. ARC Round Rock also offers After Hours Care.
ARC Sendero Springs offers Family Medicine and ARC Healthiness Program services.