Hearing loss is a condition wherein a person experiences loss of hearing either from one or both the ears. This hearing issue can range from mild to severe depending upon the condition. Though there are several causes for hearing loss, the people above 60 years are more prone to this disorder. Fortunately, advanced sciences have invested various treatment options to cure this issue. Hearing aids are also a very successful treatment option for hearing loss. You can understand more about this condition, by knowing its causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
What are the Symptoms of Hearing Loss?
The signs of hearing loss depend upon its type, cause, and degree of loss. Here are some general symptoms of hearing loss in adults.
- Constant buzzing, ringing, or tinnitus sound in the ears
- Difficulty in understanding regular conversations
- Significant increase in the volume of TV or radio
- Requesting others to repeat their sentences
- Preventing yourself from being a part of social gatherings that you used to enjoy earlier
- Inability to communicate properly at public and noisy places like restaurants and clubs or in traffic
- If you feel exhausted after finishing a conversation, you might be suffering from hearing loss.
What are your Options?
Hearing loss is obviously a serious medical condition that can deteriorate over a period of time. you should immediately consult an experienced the doctor the moment you experience any abnormalities in your hearing. However, your treatment option will depend upon:
- The kind of hearing loss
- Cause of hearing loss and its severity
- Current profession and lifestyle
Here are the possible hearing loss treatment options:
- Removal of Wax Blockage – Do you know that ear wax can impact the hearing capacity of a person? Consult your doctor to understand if you can regain your hearing capacity with a wax blockage removal treatment option. This procedure is conducted with the help of a small tool or suction.
- Hearing Aids – This is the most popular hearing loss treatment method on today’s date. If a person is suffering from hearing loss due to inner ear damages, a hearing aid can be a successful option. Connect with your audiologist to understand the benefits and shortcomings of this option for you. Open fit hearing ids are quite popular these days due to their advanced features.
- Surgery – If a person is having abnormalities in the ossicles or eardrum, surgery can be a possible treatment option for him. If he suffers from frequent ear infections with continuous fluid flow, the doctor can drain the ears through small tubes.
- Cochlear Implants – Cochlear implants are advised to the patients who are not much benefitted with the above-mentioned treatment options. Hearing aids directly send the sound signals to the ear canal whereas cochlear implants bypass the damaged part of the inner ear and activate the hearing nerve. Feel free to discuss all your concerns with the audiologist.
If you or any of your loved ones are suffering from hearing loss, make sure you consult an experienced audiologist immediately. Delaying this can lead to some severe and permanent hearing damage. Make sure you wear earplugs whenever you are traveling by air or in a noisy place. If your profession includes long working hours in high decibels, consult your doctor to know preventive measures.
