Today, anyone may suffer from hearing loss. Most people associate hearing loss with the elderly, but babies may be born with limited hearing, if any. Countless things may lead to hearing loss, but exposure to loud noise is the most common culprit. Once the hearing has been lost, it cannot be regained. However, treatments are available to help improve hearing and reduce further hearing loss.
Hearing loss Defined
Hearing loss affects a person’s hearing system. People with hearing loss cannot follow or understand conversations, which might impact their work and personal relationships. These individuals might find it challenging to follow a TV show or movie, and this loss affects their lives in countless other ways. A tinnitus treatment might be needed to halt or slow the progression of this loss, or another treatment may be a better option.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss comes in several types, and the kind of loss influences the treatment plan. People with hearing loss should see an audiologist to learn what they are dealing with and how best to address it.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass through the outer portions of the ear, while sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss happens over time in most cases. Mixed hearing loss combines conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss tends to happen gradually. People may not even notice. However, they begin to show signs of hearing loss, and others often notice this loss before they do.
People with hearing loss may ask others to repeat themselves or find it difficult to follow a conversation. They may feel others are mumbling or must turn the sound up on the TV. These individuals may not be able to hear certain sounds anymore.
A person might visit their doctor for an earache or tinnitus only to learn they have hearing loss. Pressure and fluid in the ears or balance issues might indicate the person has a problem with their hearing. However, symptoms present differently in infants and children.
Infants with hearing loss often won’t respond to loud sounds or say single words by their first birthday. They may not respond when someone says their name. Older children usually speak slower, or their speech may be unclear. They might not follow directions, either.
Hearing loss Causes
The cause of hearing loss depends on the type of loss a person is experiencing. Conductive loss might result from earwax buildup, an ear inflection, fluid in the ear, or other medical issues. Sensorineural hearing loss could result from long-term exposure to loud noise, aging, certain illnesses, or trauma.
Diagnosing Hearing loss
Healthcare providers may do an initial assessment for hearing loss. Depending on what they find during this assessment, they may order other tests or send the patient to an audiologist. Common hearing loss tests include pure-tone testing, an otoacoustic emissions test, and tympanometry.
Treating Hearing loss
Treatments for hearing loss vary by the type of loss the person is experiencing. Conductive hearing loss may be treated with medications, surgery, or other procedures to remove the obstruction that is preventing sound transmission. Sensorineural hearing loss may be treated using medications, but most patients need hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive devices. Mixed hearing loss treatments combine the two.
Preventing Hearing loss
Many types of hearing loss can be prevented by minimizing exposure to loud sounds. However, aging also plays a role in hearing loss. Men and women should avoid putting things in their ears and stop smoking, as smoking impairs circulation and can affect hearing. Exercise can also help prevent chronic health conditions, such as high blood pressure, that impact hearing.
Living with hearing loss isn’t easy, even with treatment. Talk with the audiologist to learn about the latest advancements and whether they will help address this loss. However, the most important thing a person can do is share their loss with others. When people know of this hearing difficulty, they can make accommodations so the person suffering the loss won’t feel isolated or alone.
