The speech therapist explains what causes and how to treat this condition
Hearing problems can affect people of any age. While they are commonly associated with the elderly, they can affect young people as well. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), in the population aged between 12 and 35 alone, over 1 billion people are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged and excessive exposure to loud music.
“Hearing loss can occur in all age groups. It is necessary to be aware of the symptoms, because the sooner the diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is started, the less negative impact this deficiency will have on the life of the individual”, explains Maria Branco , speech therapist at Microsom.
Causes of hearing loss
According to Maria Branco, several factors can influence lifelong hearing loss. Among these are:
- Aging of the hearing system;
- Excessive exposure to loud sounds over an extended period
- infections applicant;
- Sequelae of diseases such as bacterial meningitis;
- Use of drugs harmful to the auditory system.
Next, the speech therapist lists the 6 main symptoms that indicate hearing loss. To watch!
1. Difficulty listening to what others are saying
“An indicator is when the patient has difficulty speaking in noisy environments, such as at a party or a family lunch,” comments Maria Branco. “He begins not to understand and constantly asks to repeat the sentence”, completes the specialist. In children, this symptom can be identified if they have difficulty understanding the teacher and have a decline in academic performance.
Two. Turn up the TV volume
Maria explains that this is a strong indication of Hearing loss, “especially in older individuals, who usually spend more time at home and watch more TV. It’s very common for them to turn up the volume in hopes of hearing better,” he adds. Family members who do not have hearing loss should be aware if sounds are louder than normal.
3. Not understanding conversations
According to the doctor, in these cases it is very common for people to listen, but not understand what is being said. “Even in low-noise environments, the individual doesn’t understand everything they’re being told. This can indicate hearing problems,” he continues. In that case, the person may ask to repeat the sentence or give short answers for not understanding everything he has heard.
4. feel a constant buzz
Tinnitus, an internal sound that no one hears, is also an important sign of possible hearing loss. “People with tinnitus have a great chance of having problems of hearing. Whenever we perceive this sound, it is important to investigate the possible cause and make evaluations,” Maria Branco points out.
5. Feel the ear plugged
According to the practitioner, some people may experience a feeling of blockage or pressure. This can also be indicative of hearing loss and should be evaluated by a doctor.
6. Behavior changes
There are many explanations for sudden changes in behavior and, according to Maria Branco, hearing problems are included in the possibilities. “People who are starting to have hearing problems may be more irritatedthey tend towards social isolation and avoid situations where they have to talk a lot,” explains the speech therapist.
consult an expert
According to Maria Branco, the first doctor to look for is the otorhinolaryngologist. “He will be responsible for investigating the possible causes of this hearing loss. Then, the speech therapist will perform some tests and also help to adapt the hearing aid that most of these people are recommended to use,” she concludes.
By Beatrice Bradley
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Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
