Deafness

Question 1

What is deafness?

Answer 1

Lack of hearing

Question 2

What are the symptons of deafness?

Answer 2

difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
asking people to repeat themselves
listening to music or watching television loudly
having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful

Question 3

What are the causes

Answer 3

Sudden hearing loss in one ear may be due to earwax, an ear infection, a perforated (burst) eardrum or Ménière’s disease.
Sudden hearing loss in both ears may be due to damage from a very loud noise, or taking certain medicines that can affect hearing.
Gradual hearing loss in one ear may be due to something inside the ear, such as fluid (glue ear), a bony growth (otosclerosis) or a build-up of skin cells (cholesteatoma)
Gradual hearing loss in both ears is usually caused by ageing or exposure to loud noises over many years.

Question 4

Treatments for deafness

Answer 4

hearing aids – several different types are available on the NHS or privately
implants – devices that are attached to your skull or placed deep inside your ear, if hearing aids aren’t suitable
different ways of communicating – such as sign language or lip reading