Exploring Hearing Loss Treatments

Hearing loss is common and many people all over the world will experience it at some point in their lives. There are many different types of hearing loss but the symptoms of hearing loss are similar, ranging from needing to turn the volume up on music or TV to difficulty hearing on the phone. The symptoms you experience may vary, exhibiting more than one sign of hearing loss does warrant a trip to the audiologist.

If any of these symptoms are familiar to you, it’s vital that you visit an audiologist for a hearing test. Although hearing loss cannot be cured, it can be treated and those with hearing loss are perfectly capable of living full lives.

How is Hearing Loss Treated?

Fortunately, there are many ways to treat hearing loss so there’s something that suits everyone’s needs. Your audiologist will look at what is causing your hearing loss and this will determine what treatment options are available to you. In temporary cases of hearing loss, your audiologist may just need to remove a buildup of earwax to clear your ear canal. Additionally, hearing loss caused by ear infections may require antibiotic treatment from your primary care physician.

If this is the case, you may find that your hearing gets better naturally. However, most people do require treatment for their hearing loss.

Hearing Aids

One of the most common forms of treatment is a hearing aid. It works by transferring sound information to the patient so sounds can be heard by themselves. Audiologists can tailor each hearing aid to the patient so they receive the best sound quality.

Hearing aids can be programmed by an audiologist with the use of a computer. It allows your hearing health provider to heighten some sounds while lowering others. Some hearing aids can also be connected to apps on your phone. If a patient finds that a hearing aid needs to be adjusted, they can use the app to make the adjustments.

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

ALDs are often utilized in conjunction with hearing aids to enhance the overall management of hearing loss. While hearing aids are designed to amplify and clarify sounds, ALDs offer additional support in specific situations. For instance, in noisy environments or when watching television, individuals may use ALDs like personal amplifiers or TV listening systems to further improve speech clarity. ALDs can wirelessly connect to hearing aids, providing seamless integration and enhancing the overall listening experience

Cochlear Implants

Surgically implanted in the inner ear, cochlear implants work by directly stimulating the auditory nerve, bypassing damaged parts of the inner ear. This technology is most beneficial for individuals with significant sensorineural hearing loss, where the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged or non-functional. However, their use is typically reserved for specialized cases, and the decision to undergo cochlear implantation involves careful consideration of factors such as the individual’s age, overall health, and specific hearing needs.