Hearing Loss Defined: Why do We Lose our Hearing?
Hearing loss is something most people try not to get but as it can be caused by several reasons, causes and ailments, it can be unavoidable. As most people think this will mean the end of their world, hearing loss can be treated by using a hearing aid or surgery, which makes it better and easier for people to cope up.
There are three types of hearing impairments that people may actually experience and these are the following:
CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS
It is when the hearing loss is due to physical problems like ear canal, drum, middle portion and even the tiny bones in the ears called the malleus, incus and the stapes.
Causes
Possible Treatments
If the causes are due to congenital absence, deformity or failure of the canal to develop an opening, then these can be treated by surgery. If the surgeries are not successful, then hearing may be best improved by the use of devices that can amplify the volume like hearing aids, cochlear implants, osseointegrated devices, to name a few.
If the causes are due to infection, tumor or other medical conditions, then it is best to be treated with medications first before trying to cure it with surgeries. If a trauma is the caused, repair may be done by surgery as long as the patient’s status is stable.
SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
This occurs when there is problems in the inner ear. This condition or hearing impairment is also known as the nerve-related hearing disorder.
Causes:
Possible Treatments
If there is trauma, like acoustic or head, medical therapy may be the key to help reduce hair cell swelling in the cochlea or inner ear fluid rupture or leak, which may do more harm in the ear. If it has came from a viral cause. It is best to undergo medical treatment by corticosteroids.
If you are dealing with Meniere’s Disease, symptoms may be ease by the incorporation of low sodium diet, corticosteroids and diuretics, as prescribed by a physician. If there is the presence of tumor, it is best to have it surgically removed because hearing may be partially saved through a hearing preservations medical surgery.
MIXED HEARING LOSS
This condition refers to the experience of both conductive and sensorineural types of hearing loss, which could therefore mea that there is damage in both the inner or outer part of the ear or the cochlea.
If you wonder if you need a hearing aid, make sure that you get a hearing aid prescription. We are a hearing specialist providing hearing test and assessment, hearing aid prescription and its professional services and consulting.
Source:
HK Hearing & Speech Centre
Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,
and Hearing Aid Prescription