Hearing Loss

“Approximately one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing”.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 noise, aging, disease, and heredity”.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 (presbycusis) is the loss of hearing that gradually occurs in most of us as we grow older. It is one of the most common conditions affecting older and elderly adults”.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 one in three people in the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing”.6

Menopause

Is there a relationship between menopause and hearing loss?

The North American Menopause Society note:

“There is some evidence of a relationship between menopause and hearing, but it is unknown whether sex steroids, specifically estrogens, preserve hearing during aging”.7

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:

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

  • Have trouble hearing 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 hearing because of background noise
  • Think that others seem to mumble
  • Can’t understand when women and children speak to you”.8

The MedlinePlus also note:

“Call 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”.9

In Hearing Loss: Overview the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“See a GP if you notice any problems with your hearing so you can find out the cause and get advice on treatment”.10

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 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.

  1. Age-Related Hearing Loss
  2. Connecting With Questions About Hearing Loss
  3. Deafness and Hearing Loss
  4. Directory of Organizations
  5. Do You Need A Hearing Test?
  6. Do You Think You Have A Hearing Loss?
  7. Earwax Build-Up
  8. Glossary
  9. Health Resources
  10. Healthy Body: 5 Ways To Prevent Hearing Loss
  11. Healthy Body: Hearing Aids
  12. Healthy Diets Linked To Lower Risk of Hearing Loss In Women
  13. Hearing Aids
  14. Hearing Aids
  15. Hearing Disorders and Deafness
  16. Hearing Loss
  17. Hearing Loss
  18. Hearing Loss
  19. Hearing Loss Association of America
  20. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults
  21. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults – Signs of Hearing Loss
  22. Hearing Loss: Symptoms
  23. Hearing Loss: Treatment
  24. Hearing Tests
  25. Hearing Tests for Adults
  26. Hearing and, Most Importantly, Understanding
  27. Hearing, Ear Infections, and Deafness
  28. Hearinglink.org [United Kingdom]
  29. How Can I Tell If I Have Hearing Loss?
  30. How Do I Know If I Have Hearing Loss Caused By Loud Noise? 10 Signs of Hearing Loss
  31. How Do I Prevent Hearing Loss From Loud Noise?
  32. Is Your Hearing At Risk?
  33. Live Life At A Healthy Volume! Start By Getting Your Hearing Checked!
  34. Living [Topics]
  35. Loud Noise Can Cause Hearing Loss
  36. May Is Better Hearing and Speech Month
  37. Mayo Clinic Minute: Are Your Headphones Too Loud?
  38. Mayo Clinic Minute: Can You Slow Down Age-Related Hearing Loss? [+ Video]
  39. Mayo Clinic Minute: Hearing Aids Not ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ [+ Video]
  40. Mayo Clinic Minute: Is Tinnitus Causing That Ringing In Your Ear?
  41. Mayo Clinic Minute: The Hearing Loss and Dementia Connection
  42. Mayo Clinic Minute: What Is Hearing Loss? [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  43. Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause
  44. Menopause and Women’s Health In Later Life
  45. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
  46. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Health Information – Health Topics
  47. National Protect Your Hearing Month [October, United States]
  48. Other Products and Devices To Improve Hearing
  49. Prevention
  50. Rnid.org [Royal National Institute for Deaf People, United Kingdom]
  51. What If I Already Have Hearing Loss?
  52. What Noises Cause Hearing Loss?
  53. World Hearing Day
  54. World Hearing Day 2022: To Hear for Life, Listen With Care
  55. World Hearing Day – March 3, 2021
  56. Your Hearing [Topics]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Age-Related Hearing Loss: What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? March 2016. Last Updated Date: 17 July 2018. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Age-Related-Hearing-Loss.aspx Accessed: 24 November 2021
  2. Hearing Loss. Updated Date: 13 April 2020. Page Last Updated: 02 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm Accessed: 24 November 2021
  3. Hearing Loss: Considerations. Updated Date: 13 April 2020. Page Last Updated: 02 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm Accessed: 24 November 2021
  4. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults. Content Reviewed: 20 November 2018. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults Accessed: 24 November 2021
  5. Age-Related Hearing Loss: What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? March 2016. Last Updated Date: 17 July 2018. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Age-Related-Hearing-Loss.aspx Accessed: 24 November 2021
  6. Age-Related Hearing Loss: What Is Age-Related Hearing Loss? March 2016. Last Updated Date: 17 July 2018. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/Pages/Age-Related-Hearing-Loss.aspx Accessed: 24 November 2021
  7. North American Menopause Society Menopause Guidebook: 5 Midlife Body Changes – Vision and Hearing: Hearing. 8th Edition 2015:42
  8. Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults – Signs of Hearing Loss. Content Reviewed: 20 November 2018. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults Accessed: 24 November 2021
  9. Hearing Loss: When To Contact A Medical Professional. Updated Date: 13 April 2020. Page Last Updated: 02 November 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm Accessed: 24 November 2021
  10. Hearing Loss: Overview. Page Last Reviewed: 01 August 2018. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/ Accessed: 24 November 2021

Topic Last Updated:  24 November 2021– Topic Last Reviewed: 24 November 2021
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