Hearing Loss – Everything You Need To Know

A high percentage of children are born with perfect hearing ability. Very few are born with temporary or permanent hearing problems. In adults, hearing problems sometimes occur as they age, but there are other factors that negatively impact our hearing ability. Hearing is as important as other senses in a human being. It enables us to establish what is going on around us. If you have hearing issues, book an appointment today with the best Marrero ENT specialist for personalized treatment. The conditions can be corrected.

What are the types of hearing loss?

· Conductive hearing loss: These conditions mostly affect the middle or outer part of the ear. Luckily, they are temporary and treatable.

· Sensorineural hearing loss: Unlike conductive loss, this type of hearing loss is permanent, meaning it cannot be corrected with surgical or medical treatment. It results from disorders of your inner ear.

· Mixed hearing loss: It is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

What are the risk factors of hearing loss?

· Heredity: A person may be born with a genetic makeup that makes them more vulnerable to hearing loss with age, regardless of other environmental factors.

· Recreational noises: You are at a higher risk of developing hearing problems if you are constantly exposed to explosive noises like jet engines and firearms. They could be so severe that they cause permanent damage. Also, carpentry, motorcycling, loud music, snowmobiling can cause hearing loss.

· Medications: Specific drugs have side effects that result in hearing losses. Luckily, the problems are only short-lived, meaning they will go away after you have completed medication. Such drugs include Viagra, antibiotic gentamicin, and some chemotherapy medications. You should avoid heavy doses of pain relievers such as aspirin to reduce these risks.

· Occupational noises:  If you work in a noisy job for long hours a day, you are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss compared to people with other occupations. Therefore, you should wear protective devices to prevent harm from such sources.

· Age: We are usually born with a good hearing ability that depreciates with age. Thus, older people are more likely to develop hearing issues than youth.

· Certain medical conditions: Some illnesses will make you lose your hearing ability. One of those illnesses is meningitis that causes high fever in the patient.

Causes of Hearing Loss

· Wax buildup: Progressive buildup of wax in the ear can block sound waves and hinder conduction, leading to hearing issues.

· Inner ear damage: Our ears experience damage from ageing or exposure to loud external noise that wear out the inner part. This part of the ear relies heavily on nerve cells and hairs, and therefore cannot function if one or both are missing or damaged.

· Infections: Abnormal growths or infections in the middle and outer ear may cause ear damage.

· Ruptured eardrum: Excess pressure changes or loud noises could rupture your eardrum, making you lose your hearing ability.

It is common to lose hearing ability progressively and hardly notice it until it fully happens. Therefore, if you are struggling to hear sounds than you previously did, it could be a sign of hearing problems. Sudden loss requires immediate medical attention. Book an appointment with ENT of New Orleans for treatment.