Advice on causes and solutions for hearing loss

Everyone over age 50 should have a hearing test performed by a licensed audiologist every few years. But don't wait if you have sudden or bothersome hearing loss. Here are the signs and possible causes of hearing loss.

Doctors suspect that the cause of sudden hearing loss is a viral infection of the inner ear or of important nerves related to hearing. If you suddenly lose most or all of your hearing in a short time — such as three days or less — get medical help as soon as possible.

Are you having problems hearing people on the telephone, following conversations, understanding what's happening in a noisy room,  or think other people are mumbling, it might not be them, it might be your hearing. If family or friends tell you that you're turning the TV up too loud you should get your hearing checked.

Many prescription and nonprescription medications can damage the ear and cause hearing loss. These include high doses of aspirin, anti-malaria drugs, and antibiotics, including erythromycin, vancomycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and streptomycin.

Embarrassing but true: Sometimes, hearing loss is simply the result of a gradual accumulation of earwax. It can block the ear canal and prevent the transmission of sound waves.

Here are three habits that have been shown to have a particularly bad effect on your hearing.

• Caffeine: Make your morning blend decaffeinated. Caffeine can worsen tinnitus, another ear problem associated with hearing loss.
• Excess sodium: There's evidence controlling your sodium levels can help reduce your odds for a vertigo problem linked with hearing loss. Too many high-salt foods can alter the pressure of fluids in your inner ear. Choose low-sodium soups and frozen entrées and take the saltshaker off the table.
• Cigarette smoke: Exposure to tobacco smoke — from your own cigarette or someone else's — raises your odds for more severe age-related hearing loss.

Your damage threshold is 15 minutes for sounds at 100 decibels and just a few hours at 90 decibels.  Here are some decibel levels for common noise-makers. Always wear ear protection around these potential deafeners.

• Gunshot (peak level) -- 140–170 decibels
• Jet taking off -- 140 decibels
• Rock concert, chainsaw, snowmobile, stereo headphones, and a diesel train -- 110–120 decibels
• Motorcycle, lawnmower, shop tools, and truck traffic -- 90 decibels
• Snoring spouse -- 30–90 decibels

There can be many factors in hearing loss so it is important to quickly identify possible causes to avoid and the signs of hearing loss so you can get help immediately.