Hearing Impairment Introduction – Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
All of our five senses are important, including our sense of hearing. It aids us by alerting us to the sounds of danger, happiness and sadness. For example, you hear the sound of screeching tires, your ears and sense of hearing allow you the ability to determine which direction the sound is coming from, thus allowing you to move to safety quickly. However, if you suffered from hearing loss, you would never hear those screeching tires and therefore not be able to get out of the way, resulting in injury or worse.
An extensive amount of damage incurred by the auditory system results in hearing loss. Each ear is comprised of external, inner and middle chambers. Each of these chambers contains structures needed in order for us to hear sounds. Damage can be a result of trauma, illness or infection.
There are four types of hearing loss which include conductive, sensorineural, mixed, and central hearing loss. Oftentimes, hearing loss can be mistaken for other chronic ailments such as depression or dementia and is common among the older generation. The reason for hearing loss due to age is the loss of hair cells in the cochlea. These hair cells are vital for the ability to hear. Once they are destroyed, the body can not replace them making hearing loss a permanent condition.
Signs and Symptoms:
Constantly needing conversation to be repeated Extreme volume on the TV, radio, or other electronic device Depression Withdrawal from social activities Unable to understand speech No response to sound
In adults, hearing loss may be gradual and not noticed in the beginning. Many times, it is not recognized until damage to the auditory system is extensive. Other times it is not picked up until a visit to the doctor for other reasons. Your doctor will then need to determine the type of hearing loss you have, the degree, and the location in the auditory system it has occurred. Additionally, hearing loss in adults can be attributed to aging (presbycusis), tumors, and viral infections such as the flu or herpes.
In children, hearing loss can be due to bacterial or viral insults to their systems. Although it can happen at any age, these are the most common reasons for hearing loss in children: mumps, rubella, meningitis, and multiple sclerosis.
Diagnosis and treatment:
Specialized diagnostic testing combined with a thorough physical examination will determine if hearing loss is in fact present or if some other chronic disorder is the root cause of the loss.
Treatment for hearing loss includes surgical intervention, hearing aids, and medications, and can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment. It is important to protect your hearing to avoid loss. If you work in noisy places such as a factory where loud machines are running, wearing ear protectors may save your sense of hearing.
A licensed registered nurse and reputable writer, Barb Hicks loves to share her knowledge with others. You can find more of her articles about Symptoms Of Hearing Loss and Otits Externa Symptoms on Clivir.com.