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Do you think your ability to hear has decreased lately? If yes, then you must try to find out why it is happening. It may be that you are suffering from hearing loss.

But there is no need to worry, loss of hearing can be caused due to various factors and most of them can be cured successfully using surgery or medicine.

Types of Hearing Loss

1. Conductive Hearing Loss

When the loss of hearing is caused due to the eardrum, ear canal or middle bone and related little bones, it is a conductive hearing loss.

Causes:

  • Fluid due to cold in the middle ear
  • Malformation of the ear canal, outer ear or middle ear structures
  • Ear infection
  • Allergies
  • Benign tumors
  • Poor functioning of Eustachian tube
  • Perforated eardrum
  • Infection in the ear canal
  • Impacted earwax
  • Otosclerosis
  • Foreign body in the ear

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

When the hearing loss is caused due to inner ear problems related to nerves, it is known as a sensorineural hearing loss.

Causes: 

  • Head trauma
  • Virus or disease
  • Exposure to loud noise
  • Aging
  • Autoimmune disease of the inner ear
  • Loss of hearing cases in the family
  • Malformation of the inner ear
  • Meniere's disease
  • Tumors

 3. Mixed Hearing Loss 

The combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss leads to mixed hearing loss. It means the damage can be to the middle, outer or inner ear or even to the auditory nerve.

Treatment

Depending upon the type of hearing loss, the doctors may recommend different types of treatments including surgery and medicine. In some cases, listening devices such as aids for a hearing can be recommended. The cause and severity of the loss of hearing also decide the type of treatment.

For example, hearing loss caused due to aging cannot be cured medically or surgically, but listening devices and other hearing aids are advised to improve the quality of life.

Medical treatment is advised including surgery and medications particularly in the case of conductive hearing loss. Sometimes, even a medical treatment is not necessary and a visit to an audiologist can help diagnose the proper reason behind the loss of hearing.

Depending on the analysis, proper treatment can be recommended. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for conductive hearing loss caused due to fluid or infection in the middle ear or earwax blocking the ear canal.

Using Hearing Aids

Hearing aids are recommended when the problem cannot be treated medically or surgically. Your caregiver can advise you to consult an audiologist to determine the type of hearing aids that would be appropriate for you.

Certain factors such as hearing concerns, listening needs and lifestyle are highly important to determine the appropriate type of hearing aids.

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