There’s a concept deeply rooted in all of us about hearing problems that it is something that we attribute to old age. However, hearing problems can occur at any age. Approximately six million people between the age of 18 and 44 go through the ordeal of hearing issues in the US alone.Hearing impairment cannot be cured. It is not technically a disease. It is a condition, and like many other conditions, it can be treated. Depending on the state of your ears and the detection of exactly what part of the audio-sensory canal is malfunctioning, there is more than a single treatment plan.Hearing aids are the most popular and well-known solutions. Other dietary, lifestyle, and self-help actions may help make the best of the situation. Regardless of age or the cause, the knowledge of a basic sense, such as hearing malfunctioning, can be psychologically devastating.

Acknowledging the Reality of Hearing Loss

Self-acceptance is important, followed by sharing in an immediate social circle to gain confidence and support. It also allows one to share knowledge and educate people to avoid the causative agents. It instills a sense of community, understanding, and awareness.Whether you need a hearing aid or not depends on the condition of your hearing. While the concept of relying on a machine to allow you to hear properly might make one uncomfortable and dependent, it is, however, easy and convenient to get used to.To understand why or how hearing problems begin to occur, you need to know that the unit used to measure sound is called Decibels (dBA). We converse among ourselves in a sound ranging from 60 to 70 dBA.Sounds below 70 dBA, no matter exposed for however long, do not cause any harm. But exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA for long or extensive periods can begin to cause hearing damage, which, if irreversible, can lead to hearing impairment.

Causes of Hearing Loss

The basic cause of hearing damage has always been established to be loud noises. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a type that occurs due to a one-time exposure to sudden and loud noise like an explosion. It is also caused by continuous exposure to loud noises and remains progressive in case of untreated hearing loss. Workers at a construction site or an industrial unit would be prone to NIHL.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is another type in which the tiny hair cells in the cochlea and the auditory nerve becomes damaged. These microscopic hair cells are vital parts of carrying sound and act as frequency receptors. Unlike dogs or birds, humans cannot repair or grow back damaged hair cells.Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children is found to be as a result of ear abnormalities, genetic variations, as an aftereffect of other diseases like jaundice, viral infection or during pregnancy. In adults, SNHL is usually due to aging, trauma, or disease.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem in the pathway of the ear canal carrying soundwaves. It can either be in the outer ear, the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum or the middle ear that contains the ear bones. The severity varies from very mild to complete loss of hearing. Conductive hearing loss if occurs with SNHL, the condition is called mixed hearing loss.In many cases, hearing impairment, regardless of the type, can be progressive without the person realizing it until much later. Often one ear is more damaged than the other, and the compensation leads to untreated hearing loss for years. This is only more damaging since one remains exposed to the causative agents.

Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss

If you experience even the slightest of hearing loss, you should schedule an appointment for an accurate diagnosis with us at Glendora Hearing. A possible audiogram is performed to evaluate the severity of your hearing damage and to determine the type. The cause of it will also be a subject. During a hearing loss treatment, MRI or a CT scan may also be performed.The most common hearing loss treatment options include medications since the cause can be due to other illnesses and diseases. Apart from behavioral counseling such as speech reading, lip reading, practicing audio focusing, and avoiding the causative agents, the most important and significantly differing hearing loss treatment is the hearing aid.These are assistive hearing devices that can be easily placed on/in an ear. These can be manually set to sync with a comfortable frequency to allow you to hear clearly again. Modern rechargeable hearing aids with built-in lithium-ion batteries have made treating the problem much easier.These hearing aids have long-lasting battery life. They are smartly designed to wearing time easy and comfortable. The technology keeps improving their working mechanisms. They are easy to manage and environment-friendly as well. Some are designed to look almost invisible.Remember, hearing problems might not be curable, but with the proper treatment and care, it can be prevented from progressing. People with hearing issues can lead perfectly normal lives while remaining productive members of the community.

Glendora Hearing Center

If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing and are struggling with communication, contact us today. We provide comprehensive hearing health services and we’re here to help!