Hearing loss and your hearing
Overview
- Depending on the case, you can reverse hearing loss.
- In Canada, hearing loss is considered a disability.
- Book an appointment with a hearing professional for an official hearing loss diagnosis.
Hearing loss is the third most common health condition among adults in Canada. 60% of Canadians aged 19 to 79 experience hearing problems. Over 50% aged 40 to 79 have a measurable hearing loss.
Facts about hearing loss
Hearing loss is more common than you might think.
Canada recognizes hearing loss as a disability. You may qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC), depending on the severity of your hearing loss. A licensed audiologist or other hearing professional can help confirm your eligibility.
Can hearing loss be reversed?
In some cases, hearing loss can be reversed. Hearing loss caused by otitis can reverse once you treat the inflammation in your ear.
Hearing loss due to inner ear damage or deterioration cannot be reversed. But you can still treat many cases and maintain your quality of life.
How to tell if you have hearing loss
Only a licensed hearing professional can provide a hearing loss diagnosis. But here’s how to know when it’s time to seek help:
- You have difficulty following conversations
- Your phone conversations are unclear
- People seem to be mumbling too often
- You have difficulty locating sounds
- You experience ringing or buzzing in your ears
- You turn up the TV too loud
These experiences can be vague and gradual. They can also be obvious and sudden.
What does “hard of hearing” mean?
“Hard of hearing” means you still have some hearing ability. It covers a range of hearing abilities but does not include the deaf community.
Those who are deaf have little to no hearing ability. They may rely on sign language or other forms of communication. The hard of hearing may use spoken language with the help of hearing aids or assistive devices.
What level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid?
Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB), referring to how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them.
If you can hear sounds at 25 dB or lower, you likely have “normal hearing” and don’t need a hearing aid. People who can only hear sounds at 26 dB or higher may enjoy wearing hearing aids.
Hearing aids promote healthy hearing. Hearing well can keep you safe, maintain social connections and reduce mental strain.
“Hearing loss does not get the recognition it deserves. It is one of the five senses. You can watch a TV program on mute and you won’t get the context. But you can listen to a program and not watch it and your senses will follow along. That is the difference hearing makes.”
Jillian Price, M.Sc., Reg. CASLPO, Audiologist
While there is no cure for loss of hearing, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Learn more about healthy hearing practices and protection solutions you can start today.
FAQ about hearing loss
Sources
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3. Chisolm, T. H., Johnson, C. E., Danhauer, J. L., Portz, L. J. P., Abrams, H. B., Lesner, S., … Newman, C. W. (2007). A
systematic review of health-related quality of life and hearing aids: Final report of the American Academy of Audiology Task
Force on the Health-Related Quality of Life Benefits of Amplification in Adults. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology,
18(2), 151-183
4. Masterson EA, Bushnell PT, Themann CL, Morata TC. Hearing Impairment Among Noise-Exposed Workers — United States, 2003–2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016;65:389–394. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6515a2
5. Haile et al. Hearing loss prevalence and years lived with disability, 1990–2019: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet. 2021 March. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00516-X