Definitions

Hearing loss

When to make a doctor’s appointment

Make an appointment to see a doctor if:

• Difficult to follow conversations, especially if there's background noise
• Sounds seem muffled
• Turning up volume when listening to music, radio or TV
• Affecting social interaction

Description

Trouble hearing in one or both ears, which can get worse over time.

Self-care

Take steps to keep hearing loss from getting worse. Wear earplugs or earmuffs around loud noises. Get regular hearing tests if it's noisy at work. Keep music volume low.

When to seek immediate medical care

See a health care provider right away if:

• Hearing loss happens fast, especially in one ear.
• Nothing can be heard at all.

When to make a doctor's appointment

See a provider if:

• Voices and other sounds seem too quiet.
• Television or radio volume needs to be turned up loud to be heard.
• Words become hard to understand, especially in places with background noise.
• A person stays away from conversations or social events due to trouble hearing.