Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss—or hearing impairment—is a reduction in your ability to hear. It can happen gradually or relatively quickly. At Beltone, we want to help you understand hearing loss and find the right solution.
What Is Ototoxicity?
Ototoxicity involves damage to the inner ear caused by the chemicals found in certain medications. Certain people may be at higher risk for ototoxicity, including those who already suffer from sensorineural hearing loss.
Some known ototoxic medications are used to treat infections, cancer and heart disease. These include:
Certain antibioticsCancer chemotherapy drugs
Salicylate pain relievers
Quinine
Loop diuretics
Always consult with a medical professional to better understand the ototoxicity risks of any medication you’re currently taking.
Other Sources of Ototoxicity
Ototoxicity isn’t limited to prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Many common substances can have an ototoxic effect when consumed, including:
Caffeine in coffee, sodas, energy drinks and teaAlcohol
Nicotine
Remember: only a trained hearing care professional will be able to accurately determine the cause and type of your hearing loss, so be sure to book an appointment as soon as possible if you’re noticing symptoms.
Ototoxicity and Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a common medical condition associated with hearing loss that is often experienced as ringing, hissing, buzzing or roaring in the ears. This common condition is typically exacerbated by the same medications and substances that can lead to general hearing loss, so it’s important to consider ototoxicity when seeking treatment for your tinnitus.
Can I Ignore the Hearing Loss Caused by Medications?
Hearing loss impacts much more than your ability to hear. Left untreated, hearing loss can affect many aspects of your life, including your overall health and wellbeing.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to depression, isolation, dementia, falls and more, so seeking treatment quickly is recommended.
Click the link below to learn more about the impacts of hearing loss—and how hearing aids can help you.
Online Hearing Assessment
Visit any Beltone Hearing Care Center to discover just how simple it is to improve your hearing.
You can also take our online hearing assessment to get a head start on your free appointment—we’ll forward your results to your local Beltone office. The results will help your hearing care professional begin the process of determining your level of hearing loss and which hearing aids are right for you.
Take the Next Step
Don't wait any longer to begin your journey to better hearing. Beltone is ready to help you hear what matters the most to you.
Schedule a free hearing screening with a Beltone hearing care professional to explore your options.
Types of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss (sometimes called nerve-related hearing loss) is the most common type of hearing loss among adults.
Conductive Hearing Loss
A conductive hearing loss is often temporary and can sometimes be corrected with wax removal, medication or surgery.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is precisely what it sounds like: a mix of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Earbuds & Hearing Loss
Headphones and earbuds can induce hearing loss by isolating loud noises and placing them directly inside your sensitive ear canals.
Age-Related Hearing Loss
Along with exposure to loud noises, the natural aging process is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss.
Meningitis & Hearing Loss
While meningitis doesn’t always result in hearing loss, people who have had meningitis are at a much higher risk.
