Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a sudden or gradual decrease in how well you can hear. Gradual hearing loss happens over time. It can affect people of all ages and may range from slight to profound. Depending on the cause, hearing loss may improve with treatment (reversible) or be lasting (permanent).
Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss
Being exposed to loud noise over and over is one of the most common causes of permanent hearing loss. It usually develops slowly and without pain or other symptoms. You may not notice that you have hearing loss until it is severe.
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Be aware of and avoid harmful noise
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Use hearing protectors such as earplugs or earmuffs if you know you are going to be around harmful noise
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Turn down the volume on the stereo, TV, radio and especially on personal listening devices with earphones or earbuds
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Don’t use Q-tips or cotton swabs to remove earwax. This can push earwax deeper into the ear canal and you may also injure the ear canal and eardrum.
Resources
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Learn About Hearing Loss (Kaiser Permanente)
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Hearing Loss: A Common Problem for Older Adults (National Institute on Aging)
Hearing Aids
A hearing aid makes sounds louder. It can help some people with hearing problems to hear better. Hearing aids don't restore normal hearing, but they can make it easier to communicate. Hearing aids can correct hearing loss for approximately 95% of people with hearing impairment
Kaiser Permanente Members
Kaiser Permanente operates multiple hearing centers throughout Northern California including Union City. Our skilled audiologists help both members and non-members experience a better quality of life with hearing solutions. Learn more.
