Signs of Hearing Loss
What Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is often different for everyone’s unique situation. Below is a list of the different causes that we at Ritcey Hearing deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Noise Exposure
If you’ve been exposed to noise at your workplace (construction, machinery), or recreationally (guns, loud music) you have most likely suffered from unsafe noise exposure at some point.
Ear Wax
Believe it or not, ear wax is one of the more common reasons why people struggle with their hearing.
Presbyacusis
We all get older. Presbyacusis refers to age-related hearing loss from degeneration of the cochlea or associated structures of the inner ear or auditory nerves.
Infections
Untreated ear infections can result in a variety of problems with the ear, the main one being hearing loss. If you or your child have an ear infection, please visit your Doctor as soon as possible.
Heredity & Congenital
It may be a surprise to many that roughly 50% of childhood hearing loss is genetic. Currently, there are over 400 known genetic causes of hearing loss and there is constantly evolving research in the works.
Injuries
Traumatic brain injury/concussions or even pushing a q-tip too far into the ear can cause physical damage that can affect the ear in several ways, including hearing loss, dizziness, vertigo, and tinnitus.
Certain Drugs, Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments
Unforunately, side effects are all too common with chemotherapy and radiation treatments. These treatments can damage the inner ear structures which can lead to hearing loss.
Diseases
There are many disease that can cause hearing loss such as: Otosclerosis, Meniere’s Disease, Acoustic Neuroma, Mumps, German Measles and Paget’s disease are but a few.
What should I do?
If you’re struggling to hear or others are pointing out that your hearing is not the best, you should book an appointment with us as soon as possible. There’s no hurt in talking to an Audiologist about your hearing and finding out the root cause. It can be something as simple as ear wax, but other times it could be something that needs immediate medical attention. We will give you informed professional advice.
Follow Us
WOODSTOCK CLINIC
389 Connell St, Suite 103
Woodstock, NB
E7M 5G5
506.328.8723
GRAND FALLS CLINIC
585 Madawaska Rd
Grand Falls, NB
E3Y 1A2
506.473.8702
hearing test
Book a hearing test at either our Woodstock or Grand Falls clinics