Treatment for Hearing Loss in Charleston, SC
What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions people experience as they age. In fact over 48 million Americans of all ages experience one form of hearing loss, including 1 of 6 baby boomers. Hearing loss can be caused by trauma, or over time, which can make it difficult to notice. If left untreated, hearing loss can impact your cognitive functioning and memory.
What are the Causes of Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss can have a number of different causes. You may experience hearing loss from one cause individually, or from a combination of multiple causes. Causes of hearing loss include:
Congenital Defects
Birth defects or congenital conditions are the leading causes of hearing loss in infants and children. While some issues are apparent from birth, others might not manifest until later in life.
Physical Obstruction
Hearing depends on the unobstructed passage of air vibrations through the outer ear, middle ear, and ear canal. Any blockage in this pathway can impair hearing. Typically, removing the obstruction can restore hearing.
Infection
Ears are susceptible to primary and secondary infections. Severe or chronic ear infections can damage hearing, sometimes leading to hearing loss.
Noise Damage
Exposure to loud noises, particularly sounds above 85 dB, is a prevalent cause of chronic hearing loss. Prolonged exposure can lead to a gradual and irreversible decline in hearing ability.
Age
Aging can be a primary cause of hearing loss. However, distinguishing between age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss is often challenging, as they can present similarly.
Trauma
Various traumas can result in hearing loss, including direct injury to the ears or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Such traumas can cause both short-term and long-term hearing impairments.
What are the Types of Hearing Loss?
There are four types of hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, central hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. Conductive, sensorineural, and central hearing loss are separate conditions, whereas mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Mixed Hearing Loss
Central Hearing Loss
Central hearing loss is also referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder. This occurs when the Central Nervous System does not send a signal or sends a signal that is unreadable to the brain. This causes people to hear sounds, but doesn’t allow them to process them.
How is Hearing Loss Treated?
Treatments for hearing loss will depend on the cause and severity of your condition. If you are suffering from something as simple as an infection or earwax blockage, medications or in office treatment may take care of your hearing loss. In other cases, external devices or surgery may be needed. Most people who need hearing aids will require over-the-counter or prescription hearing aids while others with more severe hearing loss may benefit from cochlear implants.
Antibiotics
If your hearing loss is caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics as a treatment. These will be taken as prescribed until the infection has cleared.
Myringotomy
Myringotomy is most commonly associated with the placement of ear tubes. This is a procedure where your doctor will pierce the eardrum to allow fluids to be released.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed to remove obstructions like a cyst or non-cancerous growth.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are the most common treatment for hearing loss.
Over-the-counter hearing aids that are worn on the outside or inside the ear can be purchased at most drug stores or pharmacies. These hearing aids are intended for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Prescription hearing aids require a visit to an audiologist or hearing instrument specialist. Your audiologist or hearing instrument specialist will fine tune your hearing aid to match your hearing deficiencies. Prescription hearing aids may be needed when people have severe hearing loss and are only able to hear loud sounds.
