preventing hearing

Overview

Hearing loss is a reduced ability to hear sounds. Many cases are preventable by protecting your ears from loud noise, treating ear infections early, and avoiding harmful habits like using cotton buds inside the ear.

Yes, hearing loss affects millions of people around the world. About 1 in 6 adults has some degree of hearing loss, and the number rises with age.

It can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older adults, in people who work in noisy jobs, and in anyone who regularly listens to loud music through headphones or attends loud events.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Sounds seem muffled or you need to ask people to repeat themselves.
• Difficulty following conversations in noisy places like restaurants.
• Needing to turn up the TV or phone volume higher than usual.
• Ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

Symptoms in children

• Slow speech or language development.
• Not responding when called or seeming inattentive.
• Turning the television up very high.
• Having trouble with schoolwork or following instructions.

Symptoms in older adults

• Social withdrawal because conversation is tiring.
• Feeling left out in group settings.
• Frustration when family members speak too quickly or too softly.
• Needing help with directions, alarms, or phone calls.

Causes

Main causes

• Damage caused by loud noise, such as concerts, machinery, or firearms.
• Natural aging, which slowly affects the delicate cells in the inner ear.
• Earwax buildup blocking the ear canal.
• Middle ear infections that damage the eardrum or hearing bones.
• Some medicines that can harm the inner ear, known as ototoxic medicines.

Risk factors

• Working in loud environments without ear protection.
• Using earbuds or headphones at high volume for long periods.
• Regularly attending loud concerts or sports events.
• Having a family history of hearing loss.
• Chronic ear infections or conditions like otosclerosis.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Sudden hearing loss, even if it resolves.
• Hearing loss with severe dizziness or balance problems.
• Ear pain, fever, or fluid draining from the ear.

Book a routine appointment if:

• Gradual hearing loss that affects daily life.
• Persistent ringing in the ears.
• Feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear that doesn't resolve.

Diagnosis

A doctor or audiologist will ask about your symptoms, examine your ears, and perform simple hearing tests. These are painless and usually done in a quiet room.

Tests that may be done

• Otoscopy: looking into the ear with a light to check for wax, infection, or damage.
• Audiometry: wearing headphones and responding to tones and words to measure what you can hear.
• Tympanometry: checking how well the eardrum moves in response to air pressure.

What to expect at your appointment

The tests are usually done in a soundproof booth and take about 30 to 60 minutes. You won't feel anything, and you'll simply press a button or repeat words when you hear sounds.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and type of hearing loss. Some types can be reversed, such as earwax blockage or an infection, while others are managed with devices that help you hear better.

Self-care at home

• Avoid further exposure to loud noise and always wear ear protection when needed.
• Remove earwax safely with ear drops or by seeing a doctor — never stick cotton buds or other objects into your ear.
• Keep your ears dry to reduce the risk of outer ear infections.
• Take regular breaks from noisy environments.

Medical treatments

Treatment approaches may include earwax removal, treatment for ear infections with medication prescribed by your doctor, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or for certain conditions, steroid injections or other treatments ordered by a specialist. A doctor will recommend the best option based on your type of hearing loss.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery may be an option for certain middle ear problems such as otosclerosis, a growth of bone that stops the ear from moving normally, or for placing implantable hearing devices. Your specialist will explain if surgery could help your specific situation.

Living with this condition

Living with hearing loss is easier when you speak openly with family and friends about your needs. Ask people to face you when they talk, reduce background noise, and consider using subtitles or phone apps that transcribe speech.

Lifestyle tips

• Always use earplugs or earmuffs in loud places.
• Keep headphone volume at a safe level — roughly 60% of maximum and for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Take 10-minute quiet breaks when at a concert or on a noisy job.
• Make sure you tell your employer if your job involves loud noise.

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet and regular exercise support blood flow to the ears and overall health. Some studies suggest that staying physically active may help reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss, but no specific food or supplement can prevent or cure it.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Hearing loss can feel isolating, and it's common to feel frustrated, anxious, or sad. Acknowledge these feelings and talk to your doctor or a counsellor. Connecting with others who have hearing loss can help you feel understood.

Prevention

Many cases of hearing loss are preventable. The key is to protect your ears from loud noise, treat ear problems promptly, and avoid inserting objects into your ear canal.

Vaccines

Some infections can damage hearing, so staying up to date with recommended vaccines — such as measles, mumps, rubella, and meningitis — is an important way to protect your hearing. Ask your doctor about which vaccines you may need.

Screening programmes

Newborn hearing screening helps identify problems early. For adults, regular hearing checks are recommended if you are over 50 or if you work in a noisy environment, even if you don't yet notice symptoms.

Complications

If left untreated

• Social isolation and loneliness.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Difficulty at work, which can affect income and confidence.
• Increased risk of falls and balance problems in older adults.
• Cognitive decline in some older adults.

Long-term outlook

The outlook for hearing loss is good when you get support early. Many people with hearing loss live full, active lives with the right devices, communication strategies, and support from family and professionals. There is always something that can be done to improve your hearing and your quality of life.

Find support

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