the sounds. ‚
Hearing loss may happen if any of the parts of the ear are hurt. ‚
What are the causes?
- Flying in an airplane or going to a higher elevation like up a mountain
- Wax build up in the ear
- An ear infection
- Listening to loud noises over a long period of time
- An accident where the ear is involved such as a car accident, fight, or bullet or knife wound
- A tumor growing in the ear
- Getting older. By 75 years of age, about 1 in every 2 people have hearing loss.
- Drugs like some antibiotics or chemo
What can make this more likely to happen?
Having ear infections often can make hearing loss more likely. Being around loud noises, especially for a long time, can raise your chance of having hearing loss. Fluid in the middle ear or a hole in the ear drum may cause hearing loss. Certain drugs may harm the ear. ‚
What are the main signs?
- Not being able to hear clearly. Some sounds do not sound as clear as they used to.
- Sounds may be muffled or dull
- Fluid coming out of your ear
- Feeling as though there is a fullness in your ear
- Pain or ringing in the ears
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history and do an exam. The doctor will look inside of your ears to check for fluid or ear infections. The doctor may use a special tool that vibrates to see if you are able to hear the vibrations in your ear. ‚
Your doctor may also order special hearing tests to learn more about your hearing loss. ‚
- Pure tone testing ¢ ˆ ’ You wear earphones and a sound is made in one ear. Different tones will help the doctor to understand what kinds of sounds you are able to hear.
- Speech testing ¢ ˆ ’ Records the faintest speech you are able to hear. You will be asked to repeat back words or listen carefully for words in a quiet or noisy setting.
- Middle ear testing ¢ ˆ ’ Measures how well the ear drum moves back and forth.
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Treatment is based on the type of hearing loss that you have. The goals of treatment are to stop any more hearing loss, improve hearing, and to help communication. Sometimes, your hearing will not improve. You may need a tool to help you hear better. The doctor may suggest: ‚
- Hearing aids ¢ ˆ ’ Use microphones to pick up sounds and tiny loudspeakers to send louder signals into the ear
- Cochlear implant ¢ ˆ ’ Bypasses the harmed hair cells in the cochlea. Sound information is sent straight to the nerve in the brain.
- Hearing assistive technology ¢ ˆ ’ Helps you function better in your daily life and may be used with hearing aids or cochlear implants
- Surgery may be needed to repair the problem. Sometimes, a replacement in the hearing device is needed. A cochlear implant needs surgery. You also need careful follow-up to help you use this tool.
Are there other health problems to treat?
If you have an infection or fluid in your middle ear, the doctor will treat this. If you have wax in your ears, it will be removed. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Get rid of fluid in your ear
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wear ear protection around loud noises. Buy earplugs, earmuffs, or both. If you need to shout to be heard over a noise, it is loud enough to harm your hearing.
- Take extra care when using headphones or ear buds. Be sure that the volume is not too loud. Keep the volume level at no more than half volume on all devices.
- Call your doctor at the first sign of problems with your ears. This may include ringing in your ears, problems with balance, or not being able to hear what people are saying.
- Pay attention to noise ratings on appliances, power tools, and hair dryers. Purchase quieter products.
Where can I learn more?
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ‚
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Loss/ ‚
National Institute of Health ¢ ˆ ’ Senior Health ‚
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/hearinglossdefined/01.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-impairment/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚