Hearing Health

Tinnitus is a sound you hear when no external sound exists. It does not mean your brain is dying. It is a symptom, not a disease, and in most cases it reflects a change in how your auditory system processes signals rather than a sign of brain death or serious brain damage. That said, tinnitus … Read more

Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound is present. For most people who have it, something can be done — not usually to silence it completely, but to make it quieter, less distracting, and far less disruptive to daily life. The first and most important step is a proper medical evaluation, because … Read more

Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, and it affects far more than the ability to hear sound. It changes how a person follows a conversation, joins a group discussion, or feels confident in a medical office. Accommodations are the practical changes — in communication, in the environment, … Read more

Temporary hearing loss usually resolves within minutes to a few weeks, depending on what caused it. The most common type — a muffled, plugged feeling after a loud concert or a flight — typically clears within 16 to 48 hours. If hearing does not return to normal within 48 hours, or if loss comes on … Read more

Hearing loss rarely comes from a single dramatic event. Most often it develops slowly, from a mix of daily noise, age, genetics, and sometimes a medical condition hiding in the background. Understanding what can cause hearing loss matters because a few causes are reversible, many are permanent, and most are easier to manage when identified … Read more

Is hearing loss considered a disability? The answer depends on who is asking and why. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, hearing loss is a disability when it substantially limits a major life activity — and hearing is explicitly named as one. For legal protections, government benefits, and workplace accommodations, the answer is usually yes. … Read more

A hearing aid does not cure tinnitus, but for some people with hearing loss, it can reduce how loud or how often they notice the ringing. The effect is real but not universal. It works best when the tinnitus is tied to hearing loss and the person wears the device consistently. That is the short … Read more

Hearing loss does not cause vertigo in the usual sense of the word. Hearing loss is a symptom, not a mechanism. Vertigo is a specific kind of dizziness — a false sense that you or the room is spinning — and it happens when the balance system in the inner ear or the brain misreads … Read more

Yes, ear wax can cause hearing loss — but only when it blocks the ear canal. This type of hearing loss is called conductive hearing loss, and it is usually temporary. Once the blockage is cleared, hearing typically returns to normal. The key word is blocked: ear wax sitting in the canal without fully obstructing … Read more

Watching someone you love slowly withdraw from conversations is painful. Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions in older adults, and it rarely affects just the person who has it. The single most helpful thing you can do is learn how hearing loss actually works, then adjust how you communicate and gently … Read more