Hearing loss is a decreased ability to hear. There are two main categories of hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss due to something interfering with the sound passing to the inner ear
Sensorineural hearing loss due to damage to:
Causes of conductive hearing loss include:
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors for hearing loss include:
Symptoms may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
Treatment includes:
This is probably the simplest, easiest treatment for hearing loss.
There are many types. Digital technology has created tiny devices that cause little distortion.
One example of a device is the FM trainer. With this device, a person speaks into a microphone. The sound is then transmitted by radio waves directly to the earphone set worn on your ear. This can be particularly helpful if you have trouble hearing speech when there is background noise. FM trainers can also help children with hearing loss to understand their teachers.
The cochlear implant is surgically implanted. It directly stimulates part of the brain and uses a tiny computer microprocessor to sort out incoming sound.
When hearing loss is caused by other medical conditions, it may be possible to improve hearing by treating those conditions.
If your hearing loss may be caused or worsened by a medication, talk to your doctor about stopping that particular drug or changing to a drug that doesn't affect hearing.
It may be possible to slow age-related hearing loss in elderly persons through dietary modification. For example, if you are deficient in folic acid , this supplement may be helpful for you. *¹ Talk to your doctor.
Surgery may be done in some cases of conductive hearing loss to correct the middle ear problem, such as in otosclerosis , ossicular damage or fixation, and ear infections.
To help prevent hearing loss:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Inc.
http://www.entnet.org/
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
Society of Rural Physicians of Canada
http://www.srpc.ca/
References:
Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000.
Hansen MC. Otosclerosis and sensorineural hearing loss. A clinical study. Archives of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery . 1983;109(9).
Lee SH, Chang Y, Lee JE, Cho JH. The values of diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI in evaluating profound sensorineural hearing loss. Cochlear Implants International. 2004;149-152.
Marshall KG. Family Practice Sourcebook: Evidence-Based Emphasis . St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2000.
Onion DK. The Little Black Book of Primary Care: Pearls and References. 3rd ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell Science; 1999.
Tierney LM, McPhee SJ, Papadakis MA. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment. 40th ed. New York, NY: Lange Medical Books/McGraw Hill; 2001.
¹ DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Durga J, Verhoef P, Anteunis L, Schouten E, Kok F. Effects of folic acid supplementation on hearing in older adults: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Int Med. 2007;146(1):1-9.
Last reviewed September 2009 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.