Hearing changes or loss can be gradual or sudden. There are many reasons for hearing loss and can include injury, disease, and aging.
Tips & Links
Hearing loss can be caused by factors such as aging, exposure to loud noises, infections, genetics, ear injuries, or certain medications.
Learn More
- Learn more about hearing loss from Healthlink BC.
- For seniors, there are many causes of age-related hearing loss. Often it is from changes in the inner ear or the nerves in the ear that send messages to the brain. Learn about the signs, causes of hearing loss and treatments available. Review their fact sheets that are available in many different languages.
- Ask your physician or nurse practitioner if any of your health conditions (such as diabetes or high blood pressure) or medications can be affecting your hearing.
- Learn about the role of an audiologist to help diagnose and treat hearing problems and loss. Audiologists are certified and regulated by the College of Speech-Hearing Health Professionals of BC.
Things You Can Do
- Learn about ways to keep your hearing at its best to avoid confusion and loneliness (when you cannot hear what people are saying) and maintain your independence (when it affects driving or being active with others).
- Get your hearing tested at a hearing clinic by an audiologist if you are noticing changes to your hearing.
- Know that hearing clinics are usually managed by an audiologist and the tests are usually free.
- Record any changes in your hearing on your health profile.
Add your Audiologist and Hearing Clinic to your My Health Care & Business Professionals PDF tool found in My People. List their contact information and any questions you have. Save digital and print copies for easy access.