Why is it hard to hear?

Q: Something has happened to my hearing. I can hear fine when there's no surrounding noise, but if there's any background sound, I can't tune it out and everything becomes muffled. Am I going deaf? Emma, 27

A: This type of hearing loss is not unusual. Many people experience it in crowded places, when they can't hear what the person in front of them is saying because of the background hubbub. It's a form of sensorineural deafness, caused by damage to the delicate mechanism of the inner ear. When the tiny, sensitive cells of the inner ear that transmit sound waves deteriorate, the result is muffled distortion. The risk increases as you get older, but it can occur at any age - it can also be present at birth - or it can be caused by infection, physical trauma or prolonged exposure to loud noise.

Unfortunately there's no cure, but there are modern digital hearing aids that block out surrounding noise and hone in on the person in front of you. Ask your GP to refer you to an ENT specialist who can give you a proper diagnosis and arrange for you to have a hearing aid if necessary. However, it's unlikely you'll go totally deaf.

Q: I recently had a second smear test after my first showed dyskaryotic changes. What are these - and should I be worried? Melanie, 35

A: The benefit of smear tests is that they show up changes in the cells lining the neck of the womb long before anything serious develops. We often see dyskaryotic changes - which just means early signs of inflammation - and in 90 per cent of cases these cells naturally revert to normal again. However, additional tests are carried out just to ensure you're not in the 10 per cent of cases where the cells progress to showing pre-cancerous changes. Your screening is therefore routine, thorough and protective. Let the doctors keep an eye on things and remember, tens of thousands of women are recalled for repeat smears every year - but only a tiny proportion will require further treatment.

DIY DOC

Help! I've hit my head

1 If you were knocked out or experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, unsteadiness, drowsiness or double vision, go to A&E urgently - but don't drive yourself.

2 Sit still for at least two minutes, breathing deeply. Sit upright to allow gravity to reduce blood pressure in your head and ease aching.

3 Scalps can bleed heavily or come up in huge bumps. Apply ice to a bump and hold a sterile compress, like a gauze bandage, on an open wound to stem bleeding.

4 Don't take any strong painkillers except paracetamol or ibuprofen as they can mask the symptoms that point to something more serious. If you have a persistent headache, see your GP.

ASPIRIN or A&E

Symptom: Itchy mole
You worry it's: Skin cancer
Don't panic: Although skin cancer is the most common of cancers, it is curable if caught early. Malignant melanoma can occur in existing or new moles. If a mole itches but doesn't change appearance or bleed, there's less need to worry.
Hit the hospital if: A mole changes appearance or colour, gets bigger or bleeds. You don't have to rush to A&E, but do see your GP without delay. For more info, visit Cancerresearchuk.org.

Email your health questions to drhilary@fabulousmag.co.uk

COMPILED BY: JO UPCRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOPE BEAUTY DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN IF YOU'RE UNDER 16

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