Hearing loss is a natural part of aging but can also occur in younger, otherwise healthy people. If you are hard of hearing, you are not alone. Hearing loss affects approximately 1 in 8 people in the U.S. over 12. There are several treatment options for hearing loss and even deafness. The experts at WMCHealth’s Advanced ENT Services specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing loss, including offering the most advanced solutions, like cochlear implants.
What Is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss refers to anything affecting your hearing system, including your ear and auditory nervous system. Usually, hearing loss is associated with aging. About half of the people over 75 in the U.S. have some degree of hearing loss, but hearing loss can be present at birth. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, 1 in 5 teens experience some degree of hearing loss.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Many people lose their hearing gradually, making it less noticeable, but some common symptoms include:
- Ear pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Balance problems
- Trouble following a conversation
- Pressure in the ears
- The inability to hear high-pitched sounds
- The need to turn the volume up on devices
- The frequent belief that people are mumbling when speaking
- The frequent need to ask others to repeat themselves
- The feeling of being bothered by background or environmental noise
In children, hearing loss symptoms may include:
- Delayed or unclear speech
- Not getting startled by loud noises
- Not responding to their name
- Unable to follow or understand directions
Types of Hearing Loss
There are various types of hearing loss, depending on the cause or the part of the auditory system that is affected. These types include:
- Conductive hearing loss
- Autoimmune hearing loss
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Congenital and newborn hearing loss
- Sensorineural or nerve hearing loss
Causes of Hearing Loss
Many things can cause hearing loss, some temporary and others permanent. Common causes include:
- Age
- Tumor
- Genetics
- Infection
- Fluid buildup
- Foreign objects
- Excessive earwax
- Ruptured eardrum
- Underlying medical conditions
- Prolonged exposure to loud/noisy environments
Treatment of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss treatment depends on several factors, including the type of loss and its severity.
Nonsurgical Treatments
WMCHealth provides a full spectrum of advanced procedures and techniques to treat hearing loss. For less severe conditions, doctors may recommend nonsurgical treatments, such as:
- Medication
- Hearing aids
- Wax removal
Surgical Treatments for Hearing Loss
For more severe conditions, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgical interventions, such as perforated eardrum repair, can reverse hearing loss. One of the most innovative advancements in hearing loss reversal in recent years is the cochlear implant, a device surgically implanted in the cochlea, a cavity in the inner ear. It can offer hope and hearing, even for patients for whom hearing aids have been unsuccessful. WMCHealth’s Cochlear Implant Center has a team of specialists who are experts in cochlear implant surgery.