Experiencing a loss of hearing can be challenging. You might find it hard to grasp or engage in discussions because of this. It will be tough to keep up with conversations or watch television. You also will regret not hearing the enjoyable sounds of the atmosphere.
This condition impacts both your career and private life. This is if it continues to go on to further stages. Moreover, it can affect those of any age.
How Prevalent Is This Condition?
Over ten percent of people from the US suffer from hearing loss. This means that this condition is a highly regular disorder of the sensory system. This affects the way the brain reads information from these senses. In this case, our ears.
Who May Be Vulnerable?
This condition impacts those of each age, gender, race, and origin. It is more prevalent among the old people. It affects one out of every three aged sixty-five or above. But the figure rises to 50 percent for those aged seventy-five or above.
Also, hearing loss influences babies and small kids. It is seen that around two out of every thousand babies have this form of condition. So, it ranks among the most faced birth anomalies.
Common Types of Hearing Loss
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss: This occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The person will not be able to identify the sound properly. It can be due to age, loud noises, genes, or certain drugs.
Kids are at risk as well. Birth-related shocks, head wounds or infections could be the cause in that case. This condition is not temporary.
- Conductive Hearing Loss: This occurs when there is damage to the outer or center ear. This prevents the sound from reaching the inner ear. It can be due to ear infections, earwax blockage, or abnormalities in its structure. Noisy sounds might seem muted, while quiet noises will be difficult to focus on.
- Presbycusis: This refers to age-related hearing loss. It is a natural process. You will not be able to hear high-frequency sounds. You might find it difficult to understand conversations in busy environments.
- Tinnitus: It involves ringing, buzzing, or other ghost sounds in the ears. It can be due to loud noises, age or certain illnesses.
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: This is due to long exposure to loud noises (music or listening to sounds without safety). It results in permanent damage to your inner ear.
- Mixed Hearing Loss: This is a mixture of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. There will be issues with both the inner and outer ear.
What Separates Hearing Loss From Deafness?
Those experiencing hearing loss maintain the ability to identify sounds. This allows them to actively engage in conversations. Your hearing can be increased by wearing instruments or using other treatment procedures.
A deafened person has minimal or no auditory detection. Hearing devices are useless, and they have to rely on sign language to talk.
Causes Of This Condition
Hearing loss often arises from exposure to noisy sounds. Examples include going for a loud show or being near a weapon shoot. As a result, both can damage one’s hearing.
Occupations involving long exposure to loud environments pose long-term risks. Ranchers, engineers, singers, and the army are particularly vulnerable to job-related hearing loss.
Other causes include;
- Congenital diseases
- Heart-related issues, pressure of blood (high) and strokes
- Accidents or Damages to the ear – even like inserting objects inside
- Diabetes
- Infection in ears, earwax block, or burst eardrum
- Being close to dangerous substances
- Genetics
- Drugs used to treat tumors, heart issues, and inflammation
Symptoms Of This Condition
The process goes on step-by-step. Individuals with this condition do not experience pain. Also, you may see the following signs;
- Telling people to re-tell what they said
- Difficulty following discussions when on the phone or in busy environments
- Inability to hear high-pitched noises
- Volume needs to be increased when listening or watching
- Buzzing inside the ears (tinnitus)
- Problems with balance or dizziness
In the case of children;
- No response to noisy sounds or when their name is called out
- Saying huh?
- Speech development delays
- Non-coherent reaction to certain sounds
Process Of Detecting This Condition
The process involves several steps. Firstly, your doctor will question your signs and examine them to identify any inflammation or any other causes of this condition.
Your doctor will order an audiogram. This measures your ability to identify separate inputs of sounds and checks;
- Configuration: Determines whether you can identify high and low-pitched sounds and find certain patterns related to the condition.
- Grade: The extent of the condition is measured. From standard hearing to minor, average, severe, to intense hearing loss.
- Form: This identifies which type of hearing loss you have.
More tests like a CT scan or MRI will be advised by the doctor if there is a doubted injury or the possibility of a tumor.
Are There Effects Of This Condition?
Facing this condition can lead to a sense of disconnection from the outside world. Furthermore, this can result in feelings such as frustration, irritation, or anger. They might even experience depression.
Thus, children will experience difficulties in their studies. Experts have also found that hearing loss poses an increased risk of dementia.
Treatment Methods
- Hearing Aids: These devices amplify sound and help individuals improve their hearing abilities. These may be worn in or out of your ear.
- Cochlear Implants: For severe cases, cochlear implants are used. They ignore the damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
- Assistive Listening Devices: These devices, such as FM systems or loop systems, help individuals hear more clearly in specific situations, like conversations, or watching their favorite TV show.
- Medical Intervention: Treatment of the cause, such as medication for infections or removal of earwax blockage. This might include surgical correction of structural abnormalities.
- Sound Therapy: Use external sounds like white noise or masking sounds to help individuals manage and mask the view of this condition.
- Counseling and Coping Strategies: Techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation exercises help individuals better cope with their problems.
Preventative Measures
The leading cause of this condition is exposure to excessive noise, and fortunately, it can be prevented.
- Do not be exposed to noisy events and surroundings.
- Use earplugs to reduce the sound, or earmuffs that cover.
- Decrease the volume on your devices when it is possible.
Conclusion
Understanding the common types of hearing loss and available treatment options is crucial for maintaining healthy hearing. Early findings and appropriate interventions can significantly improve one’s quality of life.
