This is one of the most common things we hear from patients, and it describes the most common type of hearing loss.Hearing is tonal. Most people hear some pitches better than others, and speech is made up of many different tones. Vowel sounds are lower-pitched and carry most of the volume, so you can tell someone is talking. Consonants like s, f, th, sh, k, and t are higher-pitched and softer, and they’re what make words clear.When hearing loss affects those higher tones, you miss the parts of speech that give words their meaning. Voices sound loud enough but unclear, and it can seem like people are mumbling. That can be very frustrating...for both of you.A hearing evaluation shows exactly which tones you’re missing, so hearing aids can be programmed to restore them rather than just making everything louder.

Hearing loss has many possible causes. Some develop gradually over years, while others happen suddenly. Some types are temporary and reversible, while others are permanent and can slowly worsen over time. Understanding the cause is the first step toward the right solution, whether that’s a simple earwax removal, a referral to a physician, or hearing aids.Common CausesAging. Age-related hearing loss usually develops slowly in both ears, often affecting higher-pitched sounds first. You may hear someone speaking but miss sounds that make words clear.Noise exposure. Loud noise can damage the inner ear, whether from one intense event or years of exposure. Common sources include power tools, lawn equipment, firearms, engines, concerts, and noisy workplaces. Noise-related hearing damage is permanent, but proper hearing protection can help prevent it. Good protection can be inexpensive and easy to use.Genetics. Some people inherit a tendency toward hearing loss, which can appear at any age.Earwax buildup. Impacted earwax can block sound and muffle hearing. That’s why checking your ear canals is one of the first things we do at every appointmentEar infections and fluid. Middle-ear infections, fluid behind the eardrum, and outer-ear infections such as swimmer’s ear can reduce hearing, often temporarily.Medications. Certain medications can affect hearing, including some chemotherapy drugs, certain antibiotics, and high doses of aspirin. Never stop a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor.Health conditions. Conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some autoimmune disorders can be associated with hearing loss.Other causes. Head injuries, a perforated eardrum, otosclerosis (stiffening of the middle-ear bones), Ménière’s disease, and, rarely, benign growths on the hearing nerve can also affect hearing.A hearing evaluation helps us understand your hearing loss and determine whether you need hearing care or further medical evaluation.

Seek medical care right away, ideally the same day. It’s natural to put things off and hope they’ll get better, but don’t do that with sudden hearing loss, even if it affects only one ear. Prompt treatment can improve your chances of recovery. Get into an ENT office and tell them your hearing changed suddenly. I know how concerning this can be, because it happened to me in 2022.

No. Hearing aids don’t change the course of your natural hearing, which may plateau or continue to decline. That’s why we recommend an annual hearing check. If your hearing changes, within a range, your hearing aids can often be reset to address the change. Daily wearing of properly programmed hearing aids gives you the best chance of maintaining your ability to understand speech, even if your hearing continues to change.