Hearing Loss
Hearing loss affects over 400 million people worldwide and can significantly impact communication, relationships, and quality of life. It ranges from mild difficulty hearing in noisy environments to profound deafness. Early assessment is important — many causes are treatable, and untreated hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and social isolation.
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This page provides general health information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Types of hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss — damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve; most common in adults, often age-related or noise-induced; usually permanent but manageable with hearing aids
- Conductive hearing loss — sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear due to earwax, middle ear fluid, perforated eardrum, or otosclerosis; often treatable
- Mixed hearing loss — a combination of both types
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss — rapid onset hearing loss in one ear requiring urgent medical assessment
Symptoms
- Difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy environments
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves or speak more slowly
- Turning the television or music volume up higher than others find comfortable
- Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears
- Muffled quality to sounds or voices
- Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds such as doorbell or phone notifications
Causes
- Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) — gradual sensorineural loss affecting most people over 60
- Noise exposure — cumulative damage from loud music, machinery, or occupational noise
- Earwax build-up — a very common and easily treated cause of conductive hearing loss
- Ear infections — acute and chronic middle ear infections
- Ototoxic medications — certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and high-dose aspirin
- Ménière's disease, acoustic neuroma, and other inner ear conditions
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you notice any change in your hearing, particularly if it is sudden, one-sided, or accompanied by tinnitus or dizziness. Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a medical emergency requiring urgent treatment within 24–72 hours for the best chance of recovery.
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No referral, no waiting room. Online consultations available within 24 hours.
Treatment options
- Earwax removal — microsuction or irrigation for wax-related hearing loss
- Antibiotics or grommets — for ear infections and glue ear
- Corticosteroids — high-dose steroids for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (urgent)
- Hearing aids — highly effective for sensorineural hearing loss; modern devices are discreet and sophisticated
- Cochlear implants — for severe to profound hearing loss not helped by hearing aids
- Surgery — for otosclerosis and some structural causes of conductive hearing loss
How eMedClinic can help
Our ENT specialists provide online assessments for hearing loss, identify the likely cause, and provide referrals for audiology testing, imaging, and specialist treatment. We can also assist expats who need to navigate the local healthcare system for hearing aid prescriptions or further assessment in Portugal or Spain.
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