If you can pass a hearing test with flying colors but have trouble making out what your friends say in a noisy restaurant, you could have hidden hearing loss. Hidden hearing loss often goes undiagnosed because a standard audiogram, which measures your ability to hear varying volumes and pitches in a quiet room, won’t detect it.
Deciphering speech in background noise is one of the most significant issues for people with ordinary hearing loss, and it’s often the most common sign of hidden hearing loss.
It’s not clear exactly how many people have the condition. Studies show that 10 to 15% of patients who think they have hearing difficulties end up with normal scores on their audiogram. Researchers believe that these patients may suffer from hidden hearing loss.
A Likely Cause of Hidden Hearing Loss
For years, scientists have known that damage to tiny hair cells in our ears causes ordinary hearing loss. However, researchers discovered in 2009 that loud noise could damage the synapses that connect those hair cells with nerve cells in the inner ear, leading to hidden hearing loss.
In the study, mice were exposed to 100-decibel noise for two hours. The hair cells in their ears remained intact, but 50% of their synapses were missing. The loss of these synapses prevents the nerve cells from sending complete sound signals to the brain. As a result, the brain receives incomplete information and struggles to understand speech in background noise.
Take Steps to Protect Your Hearing
Hidden hearing loss is often the result of noise exposure, which means you can prevent it by following some simple precautions. If you use portable music players with headphones, turn down the volume and take listening breaks. Try to position yourself away from the speaker system at concerts. And when operating a leaf blower or lawnmower, always wear hearing protection.
Detecting and treating hearing loss of any kind is easier when you have access to high-quality hearing health care. Our expertly trained and experienced audiologist can provide the comprehensive and compassionate medical expertise you need on your journey to better hearing.
If you’re concerned you or someone you care about may have a hearing loss, call Precision Hearing at 352-765-8008 today to schedule an appointment.