Are you having trouble hearing? Hearing loss has many causes and takes a variety of forms. The hearing process is a very complex process. Sound travels through the ear and into different areas of the outer and inner ear to the brain stem. Any disruption along the path can cause hearing loss.
So, if you are having trouble hearing, the very first thing to do is to consult with a doctor and have the relevant tests. Book an audiologist appointment and get to the source of your problem so that you can receive the appropriate treatment. Follow the link provided and learn everything you need to know to take this step.
Possible Causes of Hearing Loss
If you are having hearing trouble, then you and your doctor will investigate these and other causes:
- Accumulation of wax in the outer ear. Sometimes a wax plug formed in the outer ear creates a barrier for sound waves to travel the rest of the way to your brain. An ENT doctor (ear, nose, throat) can remove the wax, or in milder cases over the counter products or prescription drops can solve the problem.
- Ear infections and fluid in the middle ear: If the problem is an ear infection and fluid buildup in the middle ear, antibiotic treatment can solve the problem.
- Calcification of the auditory bones or eardrum: This phenomenon occurs over time and is usually due to recurrent infections. Once your doctor discovers a sensitivity or inflammation, he or she can take steps to reduce it. A surgical procedure may be used if damage has already been done.
- Drugs that over time lead to hearing loss such as a certain type of antibiotic, large amount of aspirin, chemotherapy drugs.
- Being in a noisy environment for a long time.
- A problematic medical condition, for example diabetes that can cause poor blood supply in the capillaries that reach the inner ear and other diseases that come mainly in old age.
Will a hearing aid help?
In most situations where an individual is having trouble hearing, a hearing aid will help. There are many types of hearing aids, and your audiologist will tell you which one will best address your particular hearing needs.
There are two basic types of hearing aids. The ITE (In-the-Ear) hearing aids and the BTE (Behind-the-Ear) devices.
The ITE devices are custom fit to the individual and include the CIC (Completely-in-Canal) and the IIC (Invisible-in-Canal) devices. Both sit in the ear canal. The CIC, which is almost invisible, is used to treat mild to moderate hearing impairment, whereas the slightly more visible ITC is used for moderate to severe loss.
The BTE hearing aids are used to address hearing loss at every level of impairment. The RIC (Receiver-in-the-Canal) is a recent development in hearing devices and is a combination of the ITE and the CIC. The receiver sits behind the ear and a tiny tube carries the sound to your ear. These are small devices and a great aesthetic improvement over hearing aids worn by our parents and grandparents.
Whatever your hearing impairment, your audiologist can recommend the best course of action.
