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Ear Conditions 

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Hearing loss

Hearing loss is common, particularly as you get older. See an Audiologist if you have problems with your hearing. It could be caused by something that can be easily treated.

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Signs of hearing loss

It's not always easy to tell if you're losing your hearing.

Common signs include:

  • difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places

  • asking people to repeat themselves

  • listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need

  • difficulty hearing on the phone

  • finding it hard to keep up with a conversation

  • feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening

Sometimes someone else might notice problems with your hearing before you do.

Hearing loss can affect a child's speech development and progress at school.

 

There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss. It may be caused by something treatable or it may be permanent.

Your symptoms may give you an idea what could be causing it. But do not self-diagnose, see an Audiologist for advice.

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Common causes of hearing loss and related symptoms.

Symptoms                                                       Possible cause

Gradual hearing loss in both ears               Aging or damage from loud noise over many years 

 

Difficulty hearing,  earache,

a feeling of pressure in your ear,

discharge coming out of the ear                 Ear infection i.e Glue Ear

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Difficulty hearing, itchiness,

feeling like your ear is blocked                   Earwax build-up or an external ear infection

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Sudden hearing loss after an ear

infection, a very loud noise or a

change in air pressure

(for example, from flying)                            Perforated eardrum

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Sudden hearing loss along with

dizziness, a spinning sensation

(vertigo) or ringing in your ears                 Labyrinthitis, Menieres Disease

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Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that do not come from an outside source. It's not usually a sign of anything serious and may get better by itself.

Tinnitus can sound like:

  • ringing

  • buzzing

  • whooshing

  • humming

  • hissing

  • throbbing

  • music or singing

You may hear these sounds in 1 or both ears, or in your head. They may come and go, or you might hear them all the time.

It's not always clear what causes tinnitus, but it's often linked to:

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You may have been told that is no cure for tinnitus or you just have to live with it. If there is an underlying cause for the tinnitus that is treated, then your tinnitus may go away. Tinnitus associated with hearing loss can be helped with hearing aids. Your Audiologist can also provide help with various evidence based counselling called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. 

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Vertigo

Vertigo feels like you or everything around you is spinning – enough to affect your balance. It's more than just feeling dizzy.

A vertigo attack can last from a few seconds to hours. If you have severe vertigo, it can last for many days or months.

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The mot common and most easily treatable cause of vertigo is called positional vertigo. This occurs when small calcium crystals move around in your inner ear when you move and irritate the balance nerves. If you have very brief but severe bouts of vertigo when turning in bed or bending down, this is mostly to be the cause. You may also feel or be sick. The treatment for this is called the Epley Manoeuvre which is usually very successful and can resolve your vertigo completely.

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Vertigo can be caused by other ear conditions such as inner ear infection and Menieres Disease as well as other medical conditions so it is very important to see an audiologist to be assessed and the cause identified, 

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