Hearing Loss is a decreased ability to hear.
There are two main categories of
Hearing Loss:
Conductive hearing loss - something is interfering with the sound passing
to the inner ear
Sensorineural hearing loss – there is damage to:
- The major organ responsible for hearing (the cochlea)
- The major nerve pathway and/or area of the brain responsible for hearing
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or
condition.
- Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
- Aging
- Meniere's disease
- Not receiving all recommended immunizations
- Repeated or poorly treated ear infections
- Exposure to loud noise, music, or machinery
- Use of certain antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs
- Diseases that may result in blocked blood flow, including atherosclerosis,
problems with blood clots, and collagen vascular diseases
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a
physical exam. Tests may include:
Weber Test - a tuning fork is sounded and placed on your forehead or
teeth. This can help distinguish conductive from sensorineural hearing loss.
Rinne Test - a tuning fork is sounded and placed behind and then in front
of the ear. This can help distinguish conductive from sensorineural hearing
loss.
Audiometric Tests - these involve listening to tones in a soundproof
room, and reporting whether you hear them or not.
Tympanometry - measures the pressure in the middle ear and examines the
middle ear's response to pressure waves.
CT Scan of the Head – a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make
pictures of the inside of the head. This may be done to check for a tumor or
bone injury.
Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Responses - electrodes are attached to the
scalp and used to measure the electrical response of the brain to sound.
Electrocochleography - tests the cochlea and auditory nerve.
Treatment
Treatment includes:
Earwax Removal
This is probably the simplest, easiest treatment for hearing loss.
Hearing Aids
There are many types. Digital technology has created tiny devices that cause
little distortion.
Assist Devices
One example is the FM trainer. With this device, a person speaks into a
microphone. The sound is then transmitted by radio waves directly to the
earphone set worn on your ear. This can be particularly helpful if you have
trouble hearing speech when there is background noise. FM trainers can also help
children with hearing loss to understand their teachers.
Cochlear Implant
This device is surgically implanted. It directly stimulates part of the brain,
and uses a tiny computer microprocessor to sort out incoming sound.
Treating Other Medical Illnesses
When hearing loss is caused by other medical conditions, it may be possible to
improve hearing by treating those conditions.
Discontinuing or Changing Medications
If your hearing loss may be caused or worsened by a medication, talk to your
doctor about stopping that particular drug, or changing to a drug that doesnt affect hearing.