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Hearing health
Hearing loss
17 July 2023 · 5 min read
Hearing loss can occur at any age and for a variety of reasons. Here's what causes it, the signs to watch for, and when to book a hearing test.
It can occur at any age
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, 3.6 million people in Australia have some level of hearing loss. More than 1.3 million Australians are living with a hearing condition that could have been prevented, and 1 in 3 Australians have noise-related ear damage.
Hearing tests are not as commonly performed as eye or dental checks, so the true number of people with hearing loss could be higher. Just like we have our sight tested, we should be having our hearing checked. We recommend a hearing test for preschool-age children — quite often children start their early education without one, and it can be a good six months before signs of learning difficulties appear. If we can establish a loss before they start, we can implement strategies from the beginning and avoid delays in learning.
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss has many possible causes:
- Noise-induced hearing loss — exposure to loud noises, through work or recreation, can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear. Construction, manufacturing and entertainment are particularly at risk, and loud music through headphones contributes too.
- Genetic factors — certain inherited traits can contribute to hearing loss, present at birth or developing later in life.
- Ototoxic medications — some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs and high-dose aspirin can damage the auditory system.
- Ear infections — frequent or severe infections, particularly in childhood, can damage the structures of the ear.
- Trauma — head injuries or trauma to the ear can cause hearing loss directly or through the auditory pathways in the brain.
- Medical conditions — otosclerosis, Ménière's disease, autoimmune disorders and eustachian tube dysfunction can all impact hearing.
- Age-related hearing loss — the most prevalent form, occurring gradually with the natural aging process. Because it declines slowly, many people don't realise it has happened until they hear sounds again for the first time in years.
Do any of these apply to you?
A few everyday questions worth asking yourself:
- Are you constantly turning up the TV?
- Do you hear the clicking of the car indicators, or the birds chirping in the morning?
- Do family members tell you they've already told you something you don't recall?
- Do you miss phone calls or the doorbell?
- Do you have buzzing or ringing in your ears?
- Is it difficult hearing in restaurants or noisy situations?
- Do you feel exhausted after social situations? That's often your brain working overtime to follow conversations.
And for children
Do they have a speech delay, or is their speech unclear? Do you think your child has selective hearing? It can be possible — they may be missing certain sounds because of impaired hearing in different situations. Is your child struggling at school?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, please book an appointment with an audiologist for a hearing test.
Concerned about your hearing?
A gentle, unhurried hearing assessment is the best first step. We'd love to help.