Hearing lossis a common condition that affects hearing, communication, and social skills.
More complicated options include surgery orcochlear implants.
Read on to learn more about treatment options for hearing loss.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
Is There a Cure for Hearing Loss?
The underlying cause and throw in of hearing loss you have will dictate whether it can be cured.
The incidence of hearing loss is even greater in older adults.
Around 22% of those age 65 to 74 and 55% of individualsover age 75have disabling hearing loss.
Treatment
Earwax Removal
There are many methods toremove earwax, but not all aresafe.
The practice ofear candlingplacing a lighted hollow candle into the ear canal to suction out earwaxis also discouraged.
If you have enough excess earwax to diminish your hearing, you may have a blockage.
If so, it’s best to have it treated by a healthcare provider.
They usually remove earwax with irrigation or special tools likecurettes(small scraping tools).
Hearing Aids
Hearing aidsare devices that amplify sound.
They are worn either behind the ear or just inside the outer ear canal.
They are a good option for individuals with more permanent types of hearing loss.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are also available for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Hearing aids come in many styles, including with features like Bluetooth.
These devices continue to improve in functionality.
Surgery
Surgery may be performed for conductive hearing loss.
This condition is another cause of hearing loss that can be surgically treated.
The bones can be removed to improve hearing.
There are also special types of hearing aids that are surgically implanted.
Installingcochlear implantsis a common surgical procedure to treat hearing loss.
A cochlear implant is a unit that stimulates the cochlear nerve.
It is only recommended for people whose sensorineural hearing loss cannot be helped with a traditional hearing aid.
It consists of multiple parts:
Rehabilitation after a cochlear implant allows you to understand speech better gradually.
Prevention
Not all types of hearing losscan be prevented.
However, one of the most common types of hearing loss,noise-induced hearing loss, can be prevented.
Sounds that reach 85 decibels or more can damage your hearing.
Sudden hearing lossshould be immediately evaluated by a healthcare provider.
Common treatment options include hearing aids, earwax removal, implants, or surgery.
Research also shows that adequate treatment can minimize the effects of hearing loss.
The natural aging process and exposure to loud noises over time can also cause hearing loss.
It depends on where you live.
In the United States, being legally deaf is defined by individual states.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Quick statistics about hearing.
Food and Drug Administration.OTC Hearing Aids: What You Should Know.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Hearing aids and personal sound amplification products: what to know.
Michigan Ear Institute.Otosclerosis and stapedectomy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cochlear implant surgery.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Noise-induced hearing loss.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.The hidden risks of hearing loss.
National Health Service.Overview hearing loss.
Helping Me Hear.What percentage of hearing loss is legally deaf?
