Hearing Loss

Hearing Loss Treatment in Karol Bagh, Delhi

Introduction

Hearing loss is the inability to hear, either partially or completely, through one or both ears. Hearing loss with age is very common. 

Hearing begins when sound enters through the outer ear and reaches the eardrum by passing through the ear canal. When sound reaches the inner ear it passes through the cochlea (a snail-shaped structure filled with fluids) which has tiny hair-like structures that convert sound waves into electronic signals. The auditory nerves catch these electronic signals and pass them to the brain. 

However, some factors can disturb this process and affect our hearing. If you are suffering from hearing loss, you are advised to consult a specialist near you.

What are the types of hearing loss?

There are three basic types of hearing loss that you should know about:

• Sensorineural hearing loss: is usually caused due to some damage to the inner ear.
• Conductive hearing loss: is caused due to damage to the outer or middle ear and consequently, an inability to carry the sound waves to the inner ear.
• Mixed hearing loss: is when people have both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

What are the symptoms of hearing loss?

Usually, it is self-diagnosable and the main symptom is when you are unable to hear at all or you can’t hear properly. Your symptoms will depend upon the type and cause of the condition.

Some other symptoms may include:

• Asking others to repeat often
• Muffling of words and sentences
• Turning up the volume of the television
• Weird sound like buzzing in ears
• Unable to understand what others are speaking
• Withdrawal from conversations
• Headaches and numbness

If you experience some of these symptoms, seek immediate medical help and consult a specialist near you.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment

What causes hearing loss?

Various factors can lead to hearing loss but to understand how it occurs, you must know how your ear works. Some common causes are:

• Damage to the inner ear: this usually results in the hair inside your cochlea getting damaged. When the hair inside the cochlea is damaged, sound waves are not efficiently converted into electronic signals and hence, the brain is unable to comprehend these electric signals. 
• A lot of earwax: earwax is produced by the ear to protect itself. However, when a huge amount of ear wax builds up and is not cleaned, it can block your ear canal which will restrict the movement of sound waves towards the inner ear.
• Damaged eardrum: probing too deep in the ear with an earbud, exposure to loud noises and infection can cause damage to your eardrum. It will result in the inefficiency of sound waves to reach the brain for us to understand.
• Less common causes: some less common causes which can lead to hearing loss are injury to the head, some medications, certain illnesses.
• Apart from these certain factors such as age, frequent exposure to excessive noise or family history of genetic disorders can increase your risk.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms or if you have sudden hearing loss in one ear, quick breathing, chills, weakness or numbness you must seek immediate medical help.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment

What are the treatment options?

Your doctor will first find the cause of the problem and suggest a treatment plan according to it. If your hearing loss is due to build-up earwax, you can remove it at home but you must consult your doctor and not put any objects into your ear.

Wax softeners can also help in the removal of earwax from the canal. If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe you some antibiotics. Hearing aids can also help some people and they are widely used. If your problem isn’t made better by these aids, getting cochlear implants may be an option.

Request an appointment at
Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment

Conclusion

In some cases, it is not treatable but your hearing can be made much better. Protect your ears and stay away from places that can damage your hearing more. Following your doctor’s advice will help you a lot because if left untreated it can cause complications.

References

https://www.narayanahealth.org/hearing-loss

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss