Hearing Aids at 44? - Hearing Disorders Message Board

wmcgowin · 03-22-2007, 12:32 PM

Hi all

I have dealt with hearing loss for a very long time. So I decided to go see an ENT.

After a hearing test, it was determined I have pretty severe hearing loss. Not sure what from, but I suspect several very loud rock concerts had something to do with it. So I am getting hearing aids.

This all has been tough to take. I never figured I would have this much of a problem handling it.

I guess my question is this. I don't think I listened to any more loud music than my friends, but I am the only one in this position. Are some people more susceptible than others to hearing loss?

tally07 · 03-23-2007, 07:51 AM

Some people are genetically predisposed towards hearing loss. Is there other members of your family who do? ALso, it depends on the pattern and type of hearing loss/ Loud music and noise will cause a loss at higher frequencies but not necessarily make you a hearing aid candidate. I am unsure of what your loss is but the hearing aids nowadays are cosmetically much better and the sound quality is as well as they are usually digital. Just remember a hearing loss is much more noticable than hearing aids. Good luck

Monicas667 · 03-23-2007, 08:02 AM

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of reasons - ear infections/scarring, loud noises, and just plain hereditary.

Did you ENT do an MRI or diagnose why you have hearing loss? I would think that's the first step. I started losing my hearing in my right ear at 33 - it was completely gone by 39. I was diagnosed with Otosclerosis, which is commonly hereditary, but not always. I don't know anyone in my family with it, but I also don't know a good chunk of my father's side of the family.

From what I've read online, Otosclerosis typically starts in the 30s, though some on these boards have had it start in their teens and 20s or later, in their 40s.

If you don't have all the answers from your ENT, I would encourage you to find them out or see another ENT. I don't know the ins and outs of other hearing disorders, but some are correctable by surgery. I just had a Stapedectomy last week and already see vast improvement in my hearing and expect to have full or almost full hearing again once completely healed.

Good luck!

wmcgowin · 03-23-2007, 09:48 AM

My hearing loss is consistent with exposure to loud noise-it is OK at lower frequencies, but drops off (dramatically) at the higher frequencies. Or that's what my ENT says.

I went to two ENTs, and both said the same thing.

I do have tinnitus, and have had it for a long time.

I know nothing about Otosclerosis. Where can I find out more? What kind of Dr. would look for it? An ENT? And would otosclerosis be consistent with what I am describing?

tally07 · 03-24-2007, 02:30 PM

otosclerosis would show a conductive hearing loss(not a nerve loss) and the pattern typically is not high frequency (sloping) There is also a test called a tympanogram which tells if your eardrums are moving well. Generally, in otosclerosis, the movement is a bit stiffened. What type of tinnitus do you have? Is it high pitched or more low ocean type sounds? This is diagnostic as well. True noise exposure loss generally show a dip at 4000 cycles and then gets better at 8000--if you keep going down on the audiogram without this V shaped pattern- the loss may be more of a familial pattern versus noise exposure.