Losing your sense of hearing can be traumatic. It can result in physical, psychological, and social problems. If you’re slowly losing or have lost your hearing, you may be wondering what actions you can take to reverse this effect.
“Fortunately, it is possible. We’ll be tackling the three main types of hearing loss and what can be done to help reverse its effects.”
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. This occurs when your inner ear loses hearing permanently as a result of damage to your auditory nerve or cilia. Sensorineural hearing loss can also be caused by Meniere’s disease.
If your auditory nerve and cilia are damaged, they can’t be repaired. In some cases, however, sensorineural hearing loss can be successfully treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants, depending on the severity of the damage.
Many people who suffer from severe sensorineural hearing loss have been able to reverse their hearing loss partially by using cochlear implants. Cochlear implants bypass damaged or injured areas of the auditory system and stimulate the auditory nerve directly.
However, it is possible that your hearing loss is irreversible.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by obstructions or damage to the external ear or middle ear that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear.
When you have conductive hearing loss, your inner ear and auditory nerve are not damaged. Conductive hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. There are a variety of causes, from wax impaction to traumatic breaks between the middle ear bones
A person with conductive hearing loss may be able to regain some or even most of their hearing depending on the nature and extent of their problem. There are, however, some people who cannot reverse or regain their hearing loss.
In some cases, your hearing can be fully restored by addressing what may be blocking your ability to hear, such as:
- wax impaction
- infection
- abnormal growths
- foreign objects in your ear
Mixed hearing loss
In some cases, sensorineural hearing loss can be combined with conductive hearing loss. This is called mixed hearing loss.
Mixed hearing loss is treated based on the specific sensorineural and conductive hearing loss conditions you have. If you suffer from sensorineural or conductive hearing loss, your doctor might recommend treating both at the same time.
Know Your Type of Hearing Loss
There are three main types of hearing loss, all of which can be potentially reversed. If you do decide to treat your hearing loss, thoroughly discuss this with your doctor.
Consult your doctor before considering treatment to restore your hearing. They can diagnose what kind of hearing loss you have and give you suggestions for effective treatment options for your condition.
Get to talk to our highly qualified ENT doctors and find the best solution for your hearing loss. You can visit them at Hearing Solutions, located in Century Plaza Complex, Juana Osmeña St., Cebu City.
You can also visit their Consolacion branch located at CPG Arcade, North Road, Consolacion.
Hearing Solutions is open to service you on Monday – Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm. To schedule an appointment, call us at 0932 788 1168 or message us on Facebook.
Sources: https://www.healthline.com/health/reverse-hearing-loss#outlook
