Hearing Loss

The Problem
You have decreased ability or complete inability to hear some or all sounds in one or both ears.

Possible Causes of Hearting Loss

• Aging. You’re probably over 60, and you’ve noticed that people seem to be mumbling a lot, you can’t her in church or in theaters, and your family keeps asking you to turn down the volume on the TV and radio. These are signs of age-related hearing loss, a condition called prebycusis.Nerve damage. You are often exposed to loud noises or high-decibel sound, like that of jet engines, machinery, gunshots, or very loud music, and you notice that you can’t hear as well as you used to. Such exposure can actually deaden the sensitive nerve ending that conduct sound.
• Earwax Blockage. Your hearing loss has come on gradually, and you feel as though your ears are blocked or filled with wax. Self-care measures will usually correct this problem.

Self-Care Measures

• If age-related hearing loss is the problem, ask people to speak clearly, distinctly, and in a normal tone. Call your nurse information service or doctor and ask whether a hearing aid would be helpful.
• To remove wax: Lying on your side, use a syringe without a needle or medicine dropper to carefully squeeze a few drops of lukewarm water into your ear. Let the water remain there for 10 to 15 minutes, and then shake it out. Repeat this procedure, mineral oil, or an over-the-counter earwax remover. Let the excess fluid flow out of your ear. Then, after several minutes, repeat the procedure once more, this time with warm water. (Note: Do not use a cotton swab to remove earwax, and do not use the above procedure if your eardrum is injured or perforated.)
• Hearing may be impaired by colds, allergies, or recent plane trips. Using a decongestant (look for the ingredient psedoephedrine) along with “popping” your ears several times a day will usually correct this. You can pop your ears by holding your nose, bearing down as if straining to have a bowel movement, and swallowing. If you have heart disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or if your are pregnant or nursing a baby, you should call your nurse information service or doctor before using pseudoephedrine. Do not use monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or caffeine while taking pseudoephedrine.

Prevention

• Avoid exposure to high-decibel sound or, if frequent exposure is unavoidable, buy a pair of well-fitting earplugs. If you use portable headphones, keep the volume low.
• Don’t put cotton swabs, fingers, bobby pins, or any small objects into your ear. Blow your nose gently; don’t use too much force.