My post about Hearing Loss: Taking Good Care For Healthy Ears was about some common types of hearing loss, how they develop, how they can be prevented and often treated and tips to take care of your ear health so you can keep your hearing intact for as long as possible.
Hearing loss is measured by degree, separated into levels related to a person’s sound thresholds. Ranging from ‘mild’ to ‘profound’ levels, hearing loss can vary in severity from person to person based on the type of condition and specific circumstances surrounding the impairment. Often, a patient suffering from hearing loss can be treated with surgery, medicine or hearing aid or assistive listening devices.
Depending on the type of hearing loss, whether it is sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss or mixed hearing loss, the treatment will vary.
Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss
People with a mild to moderate hearing loss cannot distinguish sounds under 25dB HL. Sufferers of mild/moderate hearing loss can have trouble hearing speech when other background noise is present. With the use of standard hearing aids, many people suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss may vastly improve their hearing without surgery or medical attention.
Severe to Profound Hearing Loss
Severe and profound hearing loss is characterized by the inability to clearly hear sounds below the 70dB HL. Patients with severe/profound hearing loss may benefit from the use of a hearing aid, but will still hear distortion in the sounds amplified by the device. Click here to learn more.
Implanted Hearing Aid Devices
When medical treatments and standard hearing aids are not viable treatment options or provide limited benefit, patients suffering from severe/profound hearing loss may be suitable for an implanted hearing aid device.
Depending on the type and severity of the hearing loss, a hearing implant may be used to stimulate the inner ear. Cochlear implants are a type of implanted hearing device designed for people with sensorineural hearing loss. Bone conduction implants have also proven to work well for those experiencing with conductive or mixed hearing loss.
Many types of hearing loss are at least partially treatable, either by implant or surgical/medical intervention. As every type of hearing loss can vary in degree and nature of disruption, it is best to consult with a specialist to see which implant option may be best suited for an individual.
If you or someone you know is suffering from hearing loss, reach out to your doctor for help right away. Chances are, you can be treated!
