Some common causes of hearing loss:

• Chronic ear infections
• Acoustic trauma
• Occupation hearing loss
• Ruptured ear drum
• Hear injury
• Inherited conditions
• Disease of the inner ear

Sounds above 90 decibels (dB) if prolonged may cause inner ear damage.

85–90 dB       motorcycle, snowmobile and other similar engines

80–120 dB     loud music, some rock concerts

Wear protective ear plugs or earmuffs.

Age Related Hearing Loss

There is no cure.  Treatment is focused on improvement.  Age related hearing loss is progressive and appears to be genetic and runs in families. It affects 1 in 3 people older than 60.  It is not medically dangerous but leads to increase difficulty with communication, social isolation, inability to hear alarms and respond to warnings…Hearing aids, which provide amplification, may help.

Call for an appointment with you health care provider.  A physical exam may show wax build up that can be a contributing factor, if unrevealing other test may be needed.

Occupational/Acoustic Trauma

• Damage to the inner ear from noise or vibration.
• Hearing loss may not be correctable
• Loss may be progressive if measures to prevent further damage are not taken.

Rule of Thumb – if you need to shout to be heard the sound is in the range that can damage hearing.

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