World Hearing Day falls on March 3rd every year; a campaign on raises awareness about hearing loss and encourages the prevention of hearing impairment. Under 2025 theme for World Hearing Day 2025 which is ‘Changing mindsets: Empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all’, the day aims to highlight factors about hearing health, such as noise-induced hearing loss, hearing tests, early detection, accessibility to hearing care and tips for preventing hearing loss.
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Why Does Hearing Loss Occur?
Hearing impairment can occur due to various reasons, and here are 5 key causes:
Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss.
Aging (Presbycusis): As we age, the hearing structures in the inner ear naturally deteriorate, causing gradual hearing loss over time.
Infections Or Illnesses: Ear infections, meningitis, or certain viral infections can damage the ear, leading to hearing impairment.
Genetic Factors: Some people inherit genes that make them more likely to experience hearing loss, either at birth or later in life.
Medications (Ototoxic Drugs): Certain medications, such as high doses of antibiotics or chemotherapy drugs, can be toxic to the ear and cause hearing damage.
Also Read: World Hearing Day 2024: 5 Effective Ways To Prevent Auditory Loss
How To Identify Hearing Loss?
If you notice any signs of hearing difficulty, an audiometry test is essential for assessing your hearing health. Non-invasive and painless, audiometry test is done by an audiologist. It is a vital tool in hearing loss prevention and improving your overall quality of life. In this test, you simply need to listen to sounds through headphones or earphones while the test is being conducted, making it an easy and stress-free procedure. Audiometry results can help doctors or audiologists recommend suitable treatments, like hearing aids or cochlear implants, or help tailor a rehabilitation program.
Here are the top reasons that you should consider getting an audiometry test done.
Early Detection Of Hearing Loss
Audiometry tests help detect hearing loss in its early stages, even before you notice any symptoms. Early intervention is key to preventing further hearing deterioration and managing the condition effectively.
Accurate Diagnosis
This test provides a comprehensive and precise assessment of your hearing ability across different sound frequencies. It helps determine the type, degree, and cause of hearing loss, allowing healthcare professionals to recommend the appropriate treatment or intervention. Prevention of Further Damage. If hearing loss is detected early, lifestyle changes or medical treatments can be suggested to prevent further damage. For example, you may be advised to avoid loud noises, use hearing protection, or undergo rehabilitation.
Monitoring Hearing Health Over Time
If you are exposed to loud environments regular audiometry tests help monitor any changes in your hearing. Regular check-ups can identify shifts in your hearing ability, ensuring early corrective measures.
Assessing Age-Related Hearing Loss
As you age, presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) becomes more common. Audiometry tests are useful for tracking hearing health over time and identifying hearing changes due to ageing.
Improved Quality of Life
Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, frustration, and difficulty in communication. Audiometry tests help you understand your hearing ability, allowing you to address hearing problems and improve your quality of life with appropriate hearing devices, like hearing aids, hearing care ideas and treatment.
Hearing Loss Due To Medical Conditions
Some conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, or the use of ototoxic medications, can affect ear health. Audiometry can detect hearing issues that may result from such factors, enabling timely intervention.
(This content is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
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References
Hearing Health Care for Adults: Priorities for Improving Access and Affordability
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK385309/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14992027.2019.1597284
