Is that noise pollution, or are you hard of hearing?
If background noise is making it hard for someone to hear conversations, a visit to the doctor may be in order. The doctor may find a simple problem, like earwax buildup, and remove the blockage. He or she will also look for less common but more serious causes: infection, tumor, or abnormal bone growth. If the doctor believes a person has hearing loss, the person may need to see an audiologist to determine the type and severity of loss.
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