Gradual or chronic hearing loss can affect people of all ages, but it is most often related to aging. It can significantly impact daily life, making it difficult to communicate, enjoy social activities, and maintain overall well-being. People with hearing loss sometimes become withdrawn and depressed, making it especially important to seek professional evaluation and treatment.
What causes chronic hearing loss?
Even though aging is the most common reason for chronic hearing loss, other causes can affect adults at any age. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic physical condition, with 16.5% of people over age 18 reporting some degree of hearing difficulty. More than 50% of people 65 and older have some hearing loss. Unlike people who experience sudden hearing loss, you may not notice that you’ve lost some of your ability to hear if you have chronic hearing loss.
The most common reasons for hearing loss include:
Age-related hearing loss: Deterioration of the inner ear’s delicate hair cells as we age results in hearing loss, a condition called presbycusis. It is the most common cause of chronic hearing loss, affecting approximately 1 in 3 people over the age of 65.
Noise-induced hearing loss: Prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as machinery, music, or firearms, can damage hair cells and result in hearing loss. Proper hearing protection can prevent this type of hearing loss.
Genetics: Some forms of chronic hearing loss can be inherited and passed down through families. Genetic factors can contribute to the development of hearing loss at birth or later in life.
Certain health conditions, medications, and treatments also increase the risk of chronic hearing loss.
An ENT doctor spends 4 years at college, 4 years at medical school, and then 5 to 7 years after that in a residency program specializing in otolaryngology — head and neck surgery. Our board-certified ENTs pass written and oral exams and participate in continuous education to maintain their certification. When you visit one of our Arizona locations, you can trust you're seeing one of the most qualified specialists in the region and that your care will be second to none.
Diagnosing Chronic Hearing Loss
Valley ENT’s otolaryngologists and audiologists use comprehensive diagnostic tests to determine the cause, extent, and type of hearing loss causing your symptoms. In addition to a reduced ability to perceive sound, symptoms of hearing loss may include a ringing noise in the ears (tinnitus), a sense of spinning or dizziness, called vertigo, and pain or pressure in the ear.
Hearing tests: Our audiologists use various tests to evaluate hearing ability, including pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and tympanometry. These tests measure the softest sounds a person can hear at different frequencies and assess their ability to understand speech.
Physical exam: One of our ENT specialists may check for any structural abnormalities or blockages in the ear canal or middle ear that could be contributing to hearing loss.
In some cases, specialists order imaging tests like CT or MRI scans to examine the inner ear and surrounding structures for any underlying conditions or abnormalities.
Chronic Hearing Loss Treatments
Treatment for hearing loss depends on the cause. The most common treatments for chronic hearing loss include:
Hearing aids: Modern hearing aids come in different styles, including programmable digital devices that give you more flexibility than analog hearing aids. Different types of hearing aids are available, including behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) models. Valley ENT’s audiologists will explain the benefits of using hearing aids, demonstrate the various types of available devices, and recommend a device that’s right for you.
Cochlear implants: Cochlear implants may be an option if you’re diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss. If you perceive little to no benefit from your hearing aid, a cochlear implant might be an option to treat your hearing loss. A physician surgically implants these electronic devices, which bypass the damaged portions of the ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
Bone conduction implants: These devices help people who have specific types of hearing loss that affect the sound conduction mechanism (conductive hearing loss). Typically, this stems from problems affecting the ear canal or middle ear (the ear drum, hearing bones, middle ear space) from various disease processes. These devices send sound through the bone of the skull directly to the functioning inner ear. In some cases, these devices can also treat single-sided deafness (one deaf ear, one normal hearing ear).
Assistive listening devices: Devices such as FM systems, infrared systems, and induction loop systems can help improve sound quality and reduce background noise, making it easier to hear in specific environments like classrooms, theaters, or places of worship.
Being prepared will help you get the most out of your appointment. Please bring a list of medications you're currently taking and any pertinent test results—such as labs or imaging—to your appointment. Additionally, let your provider know of any drug allergies or medical conditions you have or for which you are being treated and if you've had any prior surgical procedures.
Visit Our ENT Specialists
Our team of ear, nose, and throat specialists is committed to providing thorough, personalized care to treat the cause of your hearing loss and improve your quality of life. If you’ve noticed a decline in your ability to hear and related symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an appointment for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan at one of our Arizona locations.