How is Hearing Loss Treated?

Hearing loss is prevalent but treatable. Consider the following facts:

• Close to 500 million people worldwide experience hearing loss
• The majority of hear loss conditions can be treated
• Hearing aids improve hearing without medical interventions
• Failure to treat hearing loss can diminish the person’s overall quality of life

Hearing loss is a common health condition in the U.S. Its effects can range from mild to severe. It can also affect one or both ears, and the effects can be temporary or permanent. Fortunately, there are varying treatment options for different cases of hearing loss.

Here is a brief overview of remedies for hearing loss.

Diagnosis

Hearing loss can range in type and severity, as mentioned. The condition is categorized into three types:

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Conductive hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss

The remedy depends on the nature of your hearing loss condition and its severity. To this end, diagnosis is necessary for determining the right treatment option. As such, a hearing healthcare professional will diagnose your condition first before suggesting a suitable treatment option.

Treatment options

There are several effective remedies for hearing loss. They include:

Wax removal

Wax buildup is a common cause of temporary hearing loss. It is easily reversible, fortunately. Your hearing healthcare professional will remove the earwax in the best way possible – common remedies include suction and specialized earbuds. The specialist will also recommend routine ear cleaning procedures.

Hearing aids

Hearing aids are recommended for hearing loss caused by damages in the inner ear. There are various types of hearing aids, including:

• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids: BTE aids are recommended for mild and severe hearing loss. They work by amplifying sounds and directly channeling them into the earbud. The hearing aid is fitted behind the ear and an acoustic tube inserted inside the ear canal. BTE hearing aids may also require the use of customized ear molds, especially if the earbud is damaged.
• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids: ITE aids are also recommended for mild and severe hearing loss. They also work by amplifying sounds and channeling them to the earbud and other hearing organs. However, these aids are inserted into the outer ear. To this end, each ITE is custom-made to fit the patient’s ear shape and size.
• In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids: ITC aids are smaller and easier to conceal. They are fitted into the outer ear, and they work by amplifying sounds and directly channeling them to the inner ear organs. These aids are stylish, but they mostly work for mild and mildly severe cases of hearing loss.

Hearing loss can be an impediment to your everyday life. Fortunately, most cases of hearing loss are easily treatable. As such, consult a hearing healthcare professional to have your condition diagnosed and treated.