Yvonne Doyle
Ms Doyle won the 2017 'Irish Audiologist of the Year. The competition is organised by leading hearing aid battery manufacturer Rayovac, a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc., who this year welcomed a new sponsor, The European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH), on board, joining longstanding partners Audio Infos, and the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA).
Find Out More About Yvonne
Many people experience hearing loss, often as a natural part of the ageing process, and this can affect both ears or just one. Here at Hidden Hearing, we feel that it is important to share knowledge about how our ears work, and how hearing loss develops, in order to help you to protect your ears and prevent damage occurring wherever possible.
Hearing loss that affects just one ear can be due to a variety of causes, and is known as unilateral hearing loss. Many of the causes of unilateral hearing loss are the same as the causes of bilateral hearing loss, for example ageing and exposure to loud noises. However, infections or illnesses may be more likely to affect only one ear, and it is possible that an injury such as a ruptured eardrum may lead to localized hearing loss in one ear.
Signs Of Unilateral Hearing Loss
- Do you have trouble hearing people when they stand on one side of you? Perhaps you have noticed that you always use one ear when you are speaking on the phone. Compensating for hearing loss in one ear often happens so naturally that you don’t notice at first, but the problem may worsen if not dealt with, so ensure that you do not allow it to continue once you are aware of the issue.
- Do you experience pain or ringing in one ear? Or are you troubled with tinnitus that seems to only affect you on one side? An infection in one ear, or tinnitus, can be signs of a unilateral hearing problem, and it is important to see your doctor or audiologist as soon as possible in this situation.
- Have you noticed problems with one of your ears since you have taken a course of medication? Some pharmaceutical drugs, including the medications used in chemotherapy, can lead to hearing loss, which may be temporary or permanent. Be sure to discuss any family history of hearing loss with your doctor if he or she is prescribing medication for you, and be aware that problems such as tumours or Meniere’s disease can also cause hearing problems in one or both ears.
Try Digital Hearing Aids at Hidden Hearing
If you have a hearing loss in one ear, it may be simply remedied by an ear wax removal procedure or a thorough cleaning. However, if the problem is more serious, you may find that a hearing aid can help. The latest digital hearing aids are tiny, discreet and highly effective, and your audiologist will work with you to find the best solution for you and your lifestyle.
Hidden Hearing is Ireland’s leading private provider of hearing care solutions, and our national network includes over seventy-five branches and clinics. You can visit us for a free hearing test and discuss any problems you are experiencing with our friendly staff. Contact Hidden Hearing online today, or pop into your local branch
