Loss of hearing is not necessarily obvious or dramatic. In its early stages, you may notice a difference in how you hear background noise – it may sound distorted or seem to drown out sounds happening nearby. You may hear others’ speech as mumbling or have trouble hearing them when there is a lot of background noise.
Tinnitus is a form of hearing loss that causes the person to hear ringing or buzzing noises inside their ears. This condition can come and go, & often will improve over time.
Causes
The most common cause of hearing loss is ageing. Most people over 70 will experience loss of or damaged hearing to some extent.
Other causes affecting the younger generations include exposure to loud music or noise (MP3 players, gigs, concerts, clubs), and certain jobs, such as factory or construction work.
Other ear problems that can temporarily affect the hearing are caused by the air pressure changes during flights, changes in environment or weather, or by swimming.
What to do next?
If you are noticing any changes in your hearing, such as loss of hearing, distortion, or are hearing a ringing or buzzing in your ears, please do not hesitate to come for a consultation. We are here to help. Use our online booking form, or give us a call to make your appointment.