The human ear is a very delicate and complex system. This sensitive system can be affected by many different things such as exposure to loud noises, illness and natural wear and tear.

What are the causes of hearing loss?

Medical

Often temporary hearing loss may be experienced due to a build-up of wax.

You may suffer a loss of hearing after a severe cold or after an aeroplane journey and although you should recover it is advisable to seek professional advice if you are concerned.

Tinnitus, a ringing sound in the ears can sometimes be loud enough to interfere with everyday life and a Doctor's advice should always be sought.

Noise

Most people are aware that loud sounds can damage their hearing, but you may be surprised at the everyday noises which can also cause harm. Noise causes irreversible damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea and although a hearing aid will help get the very best from the remaining hearing, it can never be totally restored.

The ageing process

One cause of hearing loss is something which we all have to come to terms with – our age. One in ten people suffer some hearing loss but for those over the age of 50 the figure is greater. A fewwill do anything about it – the others suffer in silence.

You may notice:

• The world seems to be becoming much quieter
• You keep asking people to repeat what they say
• You may have difficulty hearing high pitched sounds such as bird song, children's and female voices or even the telephone ringing
• You may have difficulty understanding conversation. Consonants are high pitched whereas vowels are low pitched
• You may suffer none of these but may have problems hearing in crowds or when there is background noise e.g. traffic, television, children playing in the same room
• You may have difficulty hearing at a distance, e.g. in a theatre Sounds cannot be placed - you are unsure if they are from behind or in front of you