Hearing loss can be scary, and it can occur for many reasons. Some are treatable and reversible with medication; others are permanent but can be counteracted with a hearing aid. Your first step in determining if you need a hearing aid is to visit an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or a more specialized otologist to determine the severity and cause of your hearing loss. Sudden hearing loss in particular can indicate a serious medical problem and should be treated as an emergency.

Groups Commonly Experiencing Permanent Hearing Loss

As opposed to sudden, drastic hearing loss, most hearing loss happens gradually over time. All people experience some hearing loss as they age, a process known as presbycusis. According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, the process starts early in adult life and can start to affect frequencies in the speaking range between the ages of 55 to 65. This is a permanent degradation of the auditory nerves, and if you find yourself in or beyond this age range and demonstrating symptoms of significant hearing loss, you will likely benefit from a hearing aid. The organization Dangerous Decibels says the most common cause of hearing loss apart from aging is prolonged or repeated exposure to sounds over the 85 decibels, comparable to an idling bulldozer. This causes noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), and if you're in this category, a hearing aid will likely help.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Everyone has to ask for a sentence to be repeated now and then, so how do you know if it's drastic enough to be a sign of permanent hearing loss? Ask yourself the following questions, and if the answer is yes, contact a physician for a formal hearing assessment: Do you have trouble understanding speech from a distance, such as in a church, lecture or theater? After watching television by yourself, do others entering the room comment on the high volume? Do you find yourself resorting to the "nod and smile" after repeatedly asking people to repeat themselves, particularly in settings with significant background noise? The American Hearing Aid Association says these are common complaints of people who suffer hearing loss and who turn to hearing aids as a remedy.

Questions to Ask When Buying a Hearing Aid

There are many types, styles and shapes of hearing aids available. Before purchasing, consult with your doctor to understand what type of hearing loss you have, and buy the proper type of hearing aid to address it. Consider special features, such as "telephone" settings. Small and discrete hearing aids can have the tradeoff of a short battery life. Choose the right balance of aesthetics and functionality for you.

Source:

American Hearing Aid Association: Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Mayo Clinic: Hearing Loss

Dangerous Decibels: Hearing Loss

More Information:

AAO-HNS: Buying a Hearing Aid

American Speech-Language Hearing Association