Hearing Loss Quiz

The following true or false quiz will teach you some important facts about hearing loss.

1. A person is more likely to experience hearing loss as he or she ages.

TRUE is the correct answer. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Roughly one-third of Americans over 60 and 40 to 50 percent of those ages 75 and older have hearing loss.

2. A person who hears a constant ringing sound in the ears has tinnitus.

TRUE is the correct answer. Tinnitus is the ringing, hissing, or roaring sound in the ears frequently caused by exposure to loud noise or certain medicines. Tinnitus can accompany any type of hearing loss and can be a sign of other important health problems as well.

3. A punctured eardrum usually causes permanent hearing loss.

FALSE is the correct answer. A punctured eardrum does not usually cause permanent hearing loss. It is a form of conductive hearing loss. Medical or surgical treatment can usually restore this type of hearing loss. In contrast, sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve has been damaged, is permanent.

4. If your hearing loss is permanent, there are no treatments that can help you.

FALSE is the correct answer. If you have a hearing problem, you can get help. See your audiologist, because hearing problems that are ignored or untreated can get worse. Hearing aids, special training, certain medicines, and surgery are some of the choices that could help people
with hearing problems.