Hidden hearing loss is the term given to hearing loss that isn’t noticeable to begin with. Typically, sufferers of hidden hearing loss notice no issues at all with their hearing in relatively quiet environments, such as the home, and when having a one-to-one conversation; however, in a noisy environment such as a cafe, background noise such as a hum of chatter, clinking spoons, or coffee machines whirring can drown out a person’s speech, making it much harder for sufferers to hear what someone is saying.
What is the cause of hidden hearing loss?
Many of us start to gradually lose our hearing after the age of 40 thanks to presbycusis, which is where the hair cells in the inner ear become damaged and cause gradual hearing loss. Alternatively, it might be caused by NIHL, or noise-induced hearing loss, which is when exposure to frequent loud sounds in our younger days – such as gunshots or excessively loud music – causes hearing loss as the years go on.
If you have any concerns about your hearing or your auditory health, it is well worth consulting a specialist audiologist such as https://www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/bristol for a hearing test Bristol or your nearest location. During your hearing test, an audiologist will be able to check your hearing and make any recommendations for treatment or management going forward.
What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can cause some other problems, including the buzzing or ringing in the ears known as tinnitus. Muffled hearing or a feeling of discomfort in the ear are other symptoms.
With hidden hearing loss, people typically first lose the ability to pick out higher-frequency sounds. This includes consonant sounds such as s, t, and h. Unfortunately, these are common in English, so losing the ability to hear them can result in it being really tricky to follow a conversation.
Seeking help for any issues to do with your hearing early on can make a world of difference to your future hearing health, so make an appointment if you have any concerns.