Hearing Loss

“Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing, and about one in three people in the U.S. between the ages of 65 and…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Hearing Loss Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Hearing Changes/Decline/Difficulty/Impairment
  • Hearing Loss

Definition

What is hearing loss?

DotS the definition of hearing loss may vary. The (United States) MedlinePlus’ definition is:

“Hearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears”.2

Symptoms

What may symptoms of hearing loss include?

In Hearing Loss: Considerations the MedlinePlus explain:

“Symptoms of hearing loss may include:

  • Certain sounds seem overly loud in one ear
  • Difficulty following conversations when two or more people are talking
  • Difficulty hearing in noisy areas
  • Trouble telling high-pitched sounds (such as “s” or “th”) from one another
  • Less trouble hearing men’s voices than women’s voices
  • Hearing voices as mumbled or slurred”.3

Cause

What may cause hearing loss?

In Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults the (United States) National Institute on Aging (NIA) elaborate on:

“Hearing loss is a common problem caused by loud noise, aging, disease, and genetic variations. About one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age”.4

Age-Related Hearing Loss

What is age-related hearing loss?

DotS the definition of age-related hearing loss may vary. The (United States) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders’ (NIDCD) definition is:

“Age-related hearing loss (also called presbycusis, pronounced prez-buh-KYOO-sis) is hearing loss that occurs gradually for many of us as we grow older. It is one of the most common conditions affecting adults as we age”.5

Common or Not

How common is age-related hearing loss?

In Age-Related Hearing Loss: What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? the NIDCD elaborate on:

“Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing, and about one in three people in the U.S. between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss. Nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have hearing loss?

If you think you have hearing loss it may be in your best interest to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Hearing Loss: A Common Problem In Older Adults – Signs of Hearing Loss the NIA explain:

Hearing Loss“Some people have a hearing problem and don’t realize it. You should see your doctor if you:

  • Have trouble understanding what people are saying over the telephone
  • Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking
  • Often ask people to repeat what they are saying
  • Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain
  • Have a problem understanding speech because of background noise
  • Think that others seem to mumble
  • Can’t understand what’s being said when children and people with higher pitched voices speak to you”.7

The MedlinePlus also note:

“When To Contact A Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

  • Hearing problems interfere with your lifestyle
  • Hearing problems do not go away or become worse
  • The hearing is worse in one ear than the other
  • You have sudden, severe hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • You have other symptoms, such as ear pain, along with hearing problems
  • You have new headaches, weakness, or numbness anywhere on your body”.8

In Hearing Loss: Overview the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborated on:

“Hearing loss is common, particularly as you get older. See a GP if you have problems with your hearing. It could be caused by something that can be easily treated”.9

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hearing Loss?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hearing Loss?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. Adverse Health Consequences of Undiagnosed Hearing Loss At Middle Age: A Prospective Cohort Study With the UK Biobank
  2. Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)
  3. Can Hearing Loss Lead To Dementia?
  4. Connecting With Questions About Hearing Loss
  5. Deafness and Hearing Loss
  6. Directory of Organizations
  7. Do You Need A Hearing Test?
  8. Do You Think You Have A Hearing Loss?
  9. Earwax Build-Up
  10. For Older Adults At Risk of Cognitive Decline, Hearing Aids May Reduce Risk By Half [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  11. Glossary
  12. Got OTC Hearing Aids? You Should Still See An Audiologist
  13. Health Resources
  14. Healthy Body: 5 Ways To Prevent Hearing Loss
  15. Healthy Body: Hearing Aids
  16. Healthy Diets Linked To Lower Risk of Hearing Loss In Women
  17. Hearing Aid Benefits and Limitations
  18. Hearing Aids
  19. Hearing Aids
  20. Hearing Aids
  21. Hearing Disorders and Deafness
  22. Hearing Loss
  23. Hearing Loss
  24. Hearing Loss
  25. Hearing Loss
  26. Hearing Loss Association of America
  27. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults [+ Video: Older Adults and Hearing Loss]
  28. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults – Signs of Hearing Loss
  29. Hearing Loss: Symptoms
  30. Hearing Loss: Treatment
  31. Hearing Tests
  32. Hearing Tests for Adults
  33. Hearing, Ear Infections, and Deafness
  34. Hearinglink.org [United Kingdom]
  35. How Can I Tell If I Have Hearing Loss?
  36. Infographic: Six Signs of Hearing Loss
    Hearing Loss
  37. Is Tinnitus Making You Miserable?
  38. Living [Topics]
  39. Loud Noises Can Cause Hearing Loss
  40. Loud Noises Can Cause Hearing Loss: Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
  41. Loud Noises Can Cause Hearing Loss: Signs of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
  42. Loud and Clear: What To Know About Hearing Loss
  43. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Hearing Issues Affects Your Brain Health [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  44. Mayo Clinic Minute: How Untreated Hearing Loss Can Result In A Negative Health Spiral
  45. Mayo Clinic Minute: Is Tinnitus Causing That Ringing In Your Ear? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  46. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Devices A Fit for You?
  47. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Tips for Reducing Risk of Hearing Loss
  48. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
  49. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Health Information – Health Topics
  50. Other Hearing Devices and Products
  51. Prevention
  52. Rnid.org [Royal National Institute for Deaf People, United Kingdom]
  53. Science In 5: Episode #93 – Hearing Loss
  54. Sound the Alarm: How Headphones Can Harm Your Hearing
  55. The Scoop on Earwax
  56. Tinnitus
  57. Type of Hearing Aids
  58. What Mayo Clinic Experts Want You To Know About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network. Name Super/GC: Cindy Hogan, Ph.D./Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery/Mayo Clinic]
  59. World Hearing Day 2025 (3 March)
  60. Your Hearing [Topics]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? Last Updated Date: 17 March 2023. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Age-Related-Hearing-Loss.aspx Accessed: 03 March 2025
  2. Hearing Loss. Updated Date: 02 May 2024. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm Accessed: 03 March 2025
  3. Hearing Loss: Considerations. Updated Date: 30 May 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm Accessed: 03 March 2025
  4. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults. Content Reviewed: 19 January 2023. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults Accessed: 03 March 2025
  5. Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? Last Updated Date: 17 March 2023. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Age-Related-Hearing-Loss.aspx Accessed: 03 March 2025
  6. Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? Last Updated Date: 17 March 2023. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Age-Related-Hearing-Loss.aspx Accessed: 03 March 2025
  7. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults – Signs of Hearing Loss. Content Reviewed: 19 January 2023. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults Accessed: 03 March 2025
  8. Hearing Loss: When To Contact A Medical Professional. Updated Date: 30 May 2022. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm Accessed: 03 March 2025
  9. Hearing Loss: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 06 December 2021. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/ Accessed: 03 March 2025
Topic Last Updated: 12 March 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 03 March 2025

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