Hearing Loss
Being unable to hear, or knowing you or a loved one are suffering from any type of hearing loss can be devastating. It presents many challenges and, at times, can leave you feeling helpless. In many cases, the hearing loss problem is minor and can be treated with antibiotics. However, if your condition is more severe, your audiologist can help you treat or manage the problem.
Hearing Loss Causes
There are many causes behind hearing loss. The most common include:
- Extended exposure to loud noise
- Earwax buildup
- Ear infections
- Heredity/Genetics
- Head trauma
- Viral infections
- Certain chemotherapy and radiation treatments
- Certain ototoxic antibiotics
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three primary types of hearing loss:
Sensorineural
This deals with the deterioration of the inner ear or the hearing nerve. Age, noise exposure, some cancer treatments and systemic illness cause this loss. This type of loss can also impair comprehension ability.
Conductive
This results from a problem with the conduction of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear where the nerve is located. Wax buildup, ear infections and trauma to the ear cause conductive hearing loss. People with this type of loss have trouble with volume rather than comprehension ability.
Mixed
This happens when there is a problem in the inner ear and outer or middle ear. It’s a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, or other condition of the ear, contact Northeast Georgia ENT to schedule an appointment. Our fully licensed audiologists are trained to diagnose hearing loss and help determine a solution to treat and manage it. If you have already been diagnosed with hearing loss and are interested in hearing aids, we can help customize a plan to fit your needs.