Hearing Loss: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

One of our most vital senses is hearing, which helps us successfully communicate with each other, interact with the environment and perceive all sorts of sounds. It is also true that the quality of life of a person may be notably affected when their hearing ability worsens. Hearing impairment affects millions of people all around the world. The high rate of deafness in India and around the globe is mostly avoidable and preventable. As stated by different studies, 63 million Indians, which amounts to 6.3% of the population, have severe hearing impairment. Hearing loss is reported as the second most frequent cause of disability by the national disability surveys.

What is Hearing Loss?

A partial or complete inability to perceive sounds is called hearing loss, often called hearing impairment. It can manifest suddenly or gradually over the years, affecting one or both ears. Hearing loss results can range from infancy to old age (60s and 70s). People with minor hearing-impaired find it hard to distinguish little noises, whilst those with substantial hearing loss may not be able to hear anything at all. Depending on the underlying reason for the disorder and the severity of the auditory system impairment, this circumstance can be transitory or long-term. Although a variety of factors can lead to hearing loss, high noise exposure is the most frequent cause of the disease. Although surgery to address some conditions can enhance hearing, hearing loss cannot be recovered. hearing-impaired may be reduced by the use of devices like hearing aids.

Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be of three main types:

• Conductive: Something prevents sound from entering your inner ear or exiting your outer ear (ear canal) in those with this hearing loss. It frequently arises from anomalies, infections, or obstructions in the middle ear bones, eardrum, or ear canal. Treating conductive hearing loss medically or surgically to restore hearing can be possible.
• Sensorineural: Hearing loss caused by injury to the inner ear or the auditory nerve pathways that supply the brain is known as sensorineural hearing loss. As the most prevalent kind of irreversible hearing loss, it can often be brought on by ageing, loud noise exposure, heredity, or specific medical disorders. Though it is usually irreversible, sensorineural hearing-impaired can be controlled by cochlear implants or hearing aids.
• Mixed: Both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss can coexist in mixed hearing loss. The auditory nerve, or inner ear, and the middle or outer ear are both injured. The individual factors causing the problem will determine the best treatment for mixed hearing-impaired.

What are Hearing-Impaired Symptoms?

Some individuals gradually lose their hearing. They might not even be aware that it’s taking place. Generally speaking, you might be losing your hearing if:

• You find it difficult to follow conversations, particularly when you’re speaking on the phone or in a busy setting like a restaurant.
• You perceive others to be muttering.
• Frequently asking others to repeat themselves or speak louder.
• You need to turn up the volume on electronic devices such as your television, computer or tablet. 
• Withdrawal from social situations owing to communication issues.
• Ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears (tinnitus).
• Trouble localising the source of sounds.
• You experience what feels like fluid or pressure within your ear.
• You’re experiencing vertigo or balance issues.

Identifying hearing loss in infants and children can be more challenging since they may not be able to articulate their experiences. Signs of hearing loss in babies and children include:

• Lack of response to loud noises or voices.
• Delayed speech or language development.
• After six months of age, do not turn to a sound source.
• Difficulty following instructions.
• Watching television or listening to music at excessively high volumes.
• Be less quick to pick up language than other kids your age.

What Causes Hearing-Impaired?

Hearing loss can be caused by several reasons. For instance, hearing loss may result from brief or abrupt exposure to extremely loud sounds, such as hearing music at a loud concert.

Causes of conductive hearing loss include:

• Accumulated earwax in your ears.
• Cold or allergy-related fluid in your middle ear.
• Infection in the middle ear (otitis media).
• Middle ear fluid trap caused by problems with the eustachian tube.
• Something lodged within your ear. When your child sees a side dish of peas, for instance, they could choose to put one in their ear.
• Congenital conditions (conditions present at birth) that influence how newborns’ middle or outer ears develop.
• Eardrum ruptured.
• Tumours in the ears.

Hearing loss can be caused by several reasons. For instance, hearing loss may result from brief or abrupt exposure to extremely loud sounds, such as hearing music at a loud concert.

Causes of conductive hearing loss include:

• Accumulated earwax in your ears.
• Cold or allergy-related fluid in your middle ear.
• Infection in the middle ear (otitis media).
• The middle ear fluid trap is caused by problems with the eustachian tube.
• Something lodged within your ear. When your child sees a side dish of peas, for instance, they could choose to put one in their ear.
• Congenital conditions (conditions present at birth) that influence how newborns’ middle or outer ears develop.
• Eardrum rupture.
• Tumours in the ears.

A combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing-impaired is known as mixed hearing-impaired. This indicates that it impacts not only your inner ear but also your middle and outer ears. You have mixed hearing-impaired, for instance, if you use medications that damage your inner ear and you unintentionally burst your middle eardrum.

How is Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

Diagnosing hearing loss typically involves a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, and specialised hearing tests conducted by an audiologist or an otolaryngologist. Your doctor will do a physical exam and inquire about your symptoms. Their checkup will look for indications of infection or other problems that could lead to hearing-impaired. If you suspect you could have a tumour or if you injured your ear, they might do an MRI or CT scan (computed tomography scan). If you need specialised hearing testing, your provider may recommend an audiologist to you.

Standard hearing tests may include:

• Pure-tone testing: This standard hearing test determines the lowest sound level per pitch. You’ll put on earplugs or headphones to hear the voice and noises. Additionally, you’ll have to wear bone conduction testing equipment on your head.   
• Otoacoustic emissions test (OAE): This test is performed by audiologists to assess inner ear health.
• Tympanometry: Tympanometry assesses the movement of the eardrum and the function of the middle ear.

What are Hearing Loss Treatments?

Depending on the type of hearing loss you have, there are several treatments available. Common interventions include:

Conductive:

• Medicines to treat ear infections, such as antibiotics.
• Procedures such as tympanostomy, which inserts ear tubes; tympanoplasty, which repairs a perforated eardrum; or surgery to remove tumours.
• Methods for clearing out foreign items or earwax from your ear canal.

Sensorineural:

• Medications to lessen swelling in your cochlea hair cells, such as corticosteroids. 
• Control devices like cochlear implants and hearing aids. For someone who is profoundly deaf or extremely hard of hearing, a cochlear implant is a small, advanced electrical device that helps them perceive sound. 

Mixed

• The exact issue affecting your outer, middle, and inner ears determine the different treatments for each.

Conclusion

Comprehending the intricacies of hearing impairment enables people to identify its indications, pursue prompt action, and investigate suitable options for treatment. It is possible for us to work together to create a world where everyone may experience sound without any restrictions by spreading proactive care and increasing awareness.

At Omni Hospitals, we are aware of the significant influence that hearing-impaired may have on people’s lives. Our team of skilled audiologists, otolaryngologists, and support staff are committed to offering patients of all ages comprehensive care and cutting-edge treatment choices. Our goal is to improve our patients’ quality of life by assisting them in regaining and maintaining their hearing health through diagnostic examinations and individualised treatment strategies.