Hearing loss:
Common and Treatable
Recognize the Signs and Explore Effective Treatments
Types and causes
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Symptoms
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Prevention
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Treatment
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More detailsWhat is Hearing loss?
Hearing is a valuable and essential function in every person’s life. It is the ability to recognize noise and sounds, helping us maintain relationships, communicate with friends and family, and socialize. Hearing keeps us connected to the outside world and alerts us to potential dangers.
What is Hearing loss?
Hearing is a valuable and essential function in every person’s life. It is the ability to recognize noise and sounds, helping us maintain relationships, communicate with friends and family, and socialize. Hearing keeps us connected to the outside world and alerts us to potential dangers.
Understanding Hearing loss
Hearing loss is common and treatable. One in six adults aged 18 and older has hearing loss . It is the reduction in our ability to hear certain sounds and affects 432 million adults worldwide . Because hearing loss is often gradual, it’s important to be aware of its signs. People with hearing loss face difficulties in hearing speech and other sounds, making daily life challenging. It is also known as deafness or hearing impairment.
Understanding Hearing loss
Hearing loss is common and treatable. One in six adults aged 18 and older has hearing loss . It is the reduction in our ability to hear certain sounds and affects 432 million adults worldwide . Because hearing loss is often gradual, it’s important to be aware of its signs. People with hearing loss face difficulties in hearing speech and other sounds, making daily life challenging. It is also known as deafness or hearing impairment.
Causes of Hearing loss
Congenital Causes
- Infections during pregnancy(e.g., maternal rubella, syphilis)
- Hereditary factors
- Complications during pregnancy
- Inappropriate drug use during pregnancy
- Birth asphyxia(low oxygen levels at birth)
- Severe jaundice in newborns
- Low birth weight
Acquired Causes
- Aging
- Noise exposure
- Head injury or trauma
- Damage to the inner ear
- Genetic factors
- Illnesses(e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, Meniere’s disease, meningitis, diabetes)
- Infections or earwax buildup
- Certain medications(e.g., antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, pain relievers)
- Abnormal bone growth or tumors
- Fluid in the ear
Causes of Hearing loss
Congenital Causes
- Infections during pregnancy(e.g., maternal rubella, syphilis)
- Hereditary factors
- Complications during pregnancy
- Inappropriate drug use during pregnancy
- Birth asphyxia(low oxygen levels at birth)
- Severe jaundice in newborns
- Low birth weight
Acquired Causes
- Aging
- Noise exposure
- Head injury or trauma
- Damage to the inner ear
- Genetic factors
- Illnesses(e.g., high blood pressure, heart disease, Meniere’s disease, meningitis, diabetes)
- Infections or earwax buildup
- Certain medications(e.g., antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, pain relievers)
- Abnormal bone growth or tumors
- Fluid in the ear
Signs of Hearing loss?
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Asking people to speak louder and more slowly
- Difficulty understanding everyday conversations
- Turning up the volume of music or TV
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
- Trouble understanding consonants
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
- Avoiding social situations
Signs of Hearing loss?
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Asking people to speak louder and more slowly
- Difficulty understanding everyday conversations
- Turning up the volume of music or TV
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
- Trouble understanding consonants
- Difficulty hearing on the telephone
- Avoiding social situations
Impact of Hearing loss
Hearing plays a major role in our emotional well-being, physical health, and overall quality of life. Yet millions of people with hearing loss let it go untreated, despite research showing an increased risk of falls, depression, anxiety, and dementia.
Treatment for Hearing loss
The treatment of hearing loss depends on its type and cause:
Removing Wax Blockage
- Excess wax is removed using a curette or by suction, or by loosening the wax with oil and flushing it out.
Surgical Procedures
- Some types of hearing loss can be treated with surgery, such as repeated ear infections or abnormalities in the eardrum or bones.
Hearing Aids
- For hearing loss due to inner ear damage that cannot be treated surgically, doctors may recommend hearing aids.
Cochlear Implants
- For severe hearing loss where hearing aids are not effective, cochlear implants may be suggested. These implants directly stimulate the hearing nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear. An audiologist and ENT doctor will explain the risks and benefits of cochlear implantation.
Prevention and Early Detection
It’s essential to identify and address hearing loss early. To find out if you have hearing loss, you can take our free online hearing test, which takes just 5 minutes. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a common but treatable condition. By understanding the causes, signs, and treatment options, you can take proactive steps to maintain your hearing health. Don’t let hearing loss go untreated—seek help and improve your overall well-being.
Treatment for Hearing loss
The treatment of hearing loss depends on its type and cause:
Removing Wax Blockage
- Excess wax is removed using a curette or by suction, or by loosening the wax with oil and flushing it out.
Surgical Procedures
- Some types of hearing loss can be treated with surgery, such as repeated ear infections or abnormalities in the eardrum or bones.
Hearing Aids
- For hearing loss due to inner ear damage that cannot be treated surgically, doctors may recommend hearing aids.
Cochlear Implants
- For severe hearing loss where hearing aids are not effective, cochlear implants may be suggested. These implants directly stimulate the hearing nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear. An audiologist and ENT doctor will explain the risks and benefits of cochlear implantation.
Prevention and Early Detection
It’s essential to identify and address hearing loss early. To find out if you have hearing loss, you can take our free online hearing test, which takes just 5 minutes. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a common but treatable condition. By understanding the causes, signs, and treatment options, you can take proactive steps to maintain your hearing health. Don’t let hearing loss go untreated—seek help and improve your overall well-being.
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