Hearing loss occurs when the ear's ability to hear is impaired, allowing perception only of sounds at 20 dB (decibel) or louder. Those affected can still hear, but struggle with soft or moderate sounds compared to those with normal hearing.

This condition can affect one or both ears, classified into four levels: mild, moderate, severe, and profound. Common causes include auditory aging, prolonged exposure to loud noise, chronic otitis media, earwax impaction, inner ear diseases, or certain medication side effects.

Master, Doctor, First-degree Specialist Truong Tan Phat, Head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at Tam Anh District 7 General Clinic, noted that hearing loss is not exclusive to the elderly. Some young individuals are diagnosed due to frequent loud noise exposure, prolonged high-volume headphone use, or underlying ear, nose, and throat conditions.

According to Doctor Phat, an easily overlooked sign is the perception that others speak softly or unclearly, even if those nearby hear normally. Patients find conversations difficult, often asking for repetition, particularly in noisy environments.

Patients struggle to hear soft sounds, such as birds chirping or water flowing. They often increase the volume of their TV, phone, or headphones. These signs are easily mistaken for fatigue or lack of concentration.

Doctor Phat performs an ear endoscopy on a patient. Photo: Tam Anh District 7 General Clinic.

Persistent tinnitus is another common symptom. Patients hear continuous buzzing, whistling, hissing, or ringing in their ears, even in quiet surroundings. This relates to inner ear hair cell damage. If hearing loss suddenly affects one ear, seek immediate medical attention; it may be sudden deafness—an ENT emergency.

Doctor Phat advises limiting prolonged loud noise exposure and avoiding high-volume headphone use for extended periods. Do not clean ears independently, use sharp objects for earwax removal, or use ear drops without a doctor's prescription.

If you experience persistent tinnitus, worsening hearing, difficulty hearing in crowds, or dizziness with hearing loss, consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist promptly. A doctor can perform an endoscopy, conduct hearing tests, diagnose, and treat, reducing the risk of permanent hearing loss.

Uyen Trinh