Is it normal to lose 15db of hearing in a year?

[meggiemog]

So I went to get my hearing checked again after a year as I felt my good ear had deteriorated- my bad ear being pretty much useless. NHS aided my bad ear - but that hasn't worked as the loss i have in my bad ear means I don't understand speech even at loud volumes. I am waiting for a new aid - but in the mean time I wanted to know what was going on in my good ear as I am really struggling to hear at the moment. In the high frequency I have gone from 45db to 60db loss - meaning I am now missing a few words when people speak

Is it normal to lose this much in a year? The bad ear has not changed - but ENT can't find a reason for hearing loss - and say well you are 51! My Dad is 78 and hears more than I do! I am waiting for a bi-cros hearing aid now - hoping it will help, but also worried about loss over 12 months

[GRboyRiches]

Hi, there is no right or wrong with hearing loss, there can be 5dB +- on any given day, on a bright day you hear better, on a dull wet day not so good, obviously you are doing all your hearing in your good ear, this can be quite stressful which will not help your well being and hearing, but I wouldn’t worry to much, get your hearing checked again in 3 months to see what is what... as foot note I’m seeing more and more people with fluid behind the ear drum, complaining of increased hearing loss so be aware you may have this.

[meggiemog in reply to GRboyRiches]

Thanks for the reply. No fluid behind the ear drum. No wax. But I do have tinnitus in both ears now as opposed to just tinnitus in my bad ear. Never been anything more than white noise, so lucky in that respect. It does have its advantages as I don't get bothered by little sounds waking me up anymore. Just makes my job super tricky as I answer phones and work on a reception desk!