Remarkable Gains in Combating Hearing Loss

When was the last time you had a hearing test? Can’t remember? That’s not surprising. Many of us have not had a hearing test since we were a day or two old. And yet hearing loss can occur at any stage of life. Hearing typically begins to decline in your 50s to early 60s and some people start to notice hearing loss as early as their 30s or 40s.

Risk Factors for Hearing Loss

• Being over 50 – your doctor may recommend a baseline hearing test so that changes to hearing can be diagnosed in the future
• Occupational exposure from working in a loud environment
• Prolonged exposure to very loud music – just ask The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon or Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters
• Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease
• Family history of hearing loss

Is it time for a hearing test? Take this self-assessment from The National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders.

1. Do you sometimes feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear?
   Yes
   No
2. Do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them?
   Yes
   No
3. Do you have difficulty hearing or understanding co-workers, clients, or customers?
   Yes
   No
4. Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?
   Yes
   No
5. Do you have difficulty hearing when visiting friends, relatives, or neighbors?
   Yes
   No
6. Do you have trouble hearing in the movies or in the theater?
   Yes
   No
7. Does a hearing problem cause you to argue with family members?
   Yes
   No
8. Do you have trouble hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others?
   Yes
   No
9. Do you feel that any difficulty with your hearing limits your personal life or social life?
   Yes
   No
10. Do you have trouble hearing family or friends when you are together in a restaurant?
    Yes
    No

If you answer “yes” to three or more of these questions, you’re in good company. About 1 in 8 people in the United States ages 12 or older – roughly 30 million Americans – has hearing loss in both ears, and the chances increase as you age. Your next step is to see a specialist.

Types of Hearing Specialists

Otolaryngologists

Also known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians, these MDs can help with age-related hearing loss, tinnitus, balance disorders, and conditions affecting the nose, throat, and sinuses. They are also trained in head and neck surgery. An ENT will determine whether your symptoms are caused by a general hearing loss. If so, they will refer you to an audiologist.

Otologists

These physicians are otolaryngologists with a subspecialty in hearing and ear anatomy.

Neurotologists

These otolaryngologists have a subspecialty in neurological conditions affecting the ears, such as inner ear problems, balance disorders and skull base tumors. Neurotologists can also provide implantable hearing devices, such as cochlear implants and bone conduction hearing aids.

Audiologists

These medical professionals have a master's degree or doctorate in audiology and specialize in central and peripheral hearing impairments, including deafness, hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance system disorders. They do not have surgical training.

An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults would benefit from wearing hearing aids, yet only 30% actually do so. Many are afraid of the "feedback" noise that was common in older hearing aids, or in the aesthetics of wearing hearing aids. Fortunately, technology has come a long way and there are much better options available today.

Prescription vs. Over the Counter Hearing Aids

Prescription hearing aids are regulated by Food and Drug Administration and require a prescription from a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. These hearing aids are programmed to a person’s specific hearing loss as assessed by a hearing test. Prescription hearing aids are more expensive because they require professional services and customization.

Over the counter hearing aids are also regulated by the FDA but are designed to be directly available to consumers without a hearing test, prescription, or professional fitting. As a result, they are more affordable and easier to obtain. Over-the-counter hearing aids are only approved for adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Recent Advances in Hearing Aid Technology

Most people resist hearing aids because they are not aware of the many exciting developments in hearing aid technology that include:

• Smaller sizes and designs that can be worn inside the ear canal and are virtually invisible
• Wireless connectivity that allows users to stream audio directly from smartphones, TVs, and other devices
• Artificial intelligence that is being integrated into hearing aids to analyze and automatically adjust to listening environments in real-time
• Rechargeability that allows users to put their hearing aids into a charging dock overnight
• Better sound quality that’s now achievable thanks to advances in digital signal processing
• Health monitoring such as activity tracking, fall detection, and even integration with heart rate monitors that can be programmed into some advanced models
• Managing tinnitus via masking features that produce background noise or stimulate neural activity
• Water resistant or even waterproof models that fit in seamlessly with more active lifestyles

Hearing Loss and Dementia

If you are hesitant to go have that hearing test, consider the fact that you could lose more than your hearing. According to a 2020 Lancet commission report, hearing loss is one of the top risk factors for dementia. In fact, researchers estimate that hearing loss accounts for 8% of dementia cases. There are several theories as to what might be behind the connection between the two conditions:

• Hearing loss makes the brain work harder as it strives to fill in – often inaccurately – what the ears missed. This effort shortchanges other parts of the brain that focus on thinking and memory
• Hearing loss may cause the aging brain to shrink more quickly
• Hearing loss limits social connection – engagement with others helps people stay intellectually stimulated and enhances quality of life

There’s no doubt that even minor hearing loss can impact your quality of life and may even affect your health down the road as it gets worse. Talk to your doctor to get your hearing tested and determine what your next steps should be. For help finding a doctor, click here.

This article appeared in the Summer 2024 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.