Hearing Loss in Adults & Treatments
Hearing loss refers to partial or complete inability to hear sounds in one or both of your ears. The impairment may be congenital (present at birth) or might be experienced later in the course of one’s life due to aging. In addition, chronic and constant exposure to loud noises can also contribute to hearing loss. There are three basic types of hair loss namely conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. While conductive Hearing Loss is caused by obstruction or malfunction in the outer or middle ear due to impacted ear wax or damage to the eardrum, Sensorineural Hearing Loss is caused by damage to hair cells of the inner ear due to factors like aging, exposure to loud noises, ototoxic medications, and certain diseases like meningitis. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
A person with hearing loss tends to experience low self-esteem due to difficulty in communicating with others and social withdrawal. Thus it impacts personal life in a serious way. In addition, it also impacts the person’s educational and work opportunities due to impaired communication.
If you experience any type of hair loss, it is highly recommended to get immediate medical advice. Several treatments are available for hearing loss basis the cause and severity. Some of them are as under:
● Wax Blockage Removal: Blockage caused due to earwax is a common cause of hearing impairment. This is treated by doctors by removing earwax using suction or a small scraper.
● Surgical Procedures: Hearing loss caused due to abnormalities of the eardrum or bones of hearing can be solved surgically. In case of repeated infections with persistent fluid, small tubes are used by a medical practitioner to drain out the liquid.
● Cochlear Implants: In case of severe hearing loss cases, cochlear implants are used for hearing correction. A cochlear implant works by bypassing a damaged or nonworking part of the ear to directly stimulate the hearing nerve.
● Hearing Aids: If hearing loss is caused due to damage to the inner ear, a hearing machine can restore hearing thus improving overall well being. Open-fit hearing aids are one of the most common and best hearing machines for ear owing to their easy fitting process and features. Discuss with your audiologist about its potential benefits of hearing aids and what to expect.
If you suspect you have hearing loss, go for a hearing screening at your nearby medical center. In case you are diagnosed with hearing loss, get the best help from a doctor or an experienced audiologist and discuss about the best hearing machines for ear.