Tired of feeling left out of every conversation because you’re having difficulty hearing? If so, you’re not alone.
According to research, 48 million Americans, or 20%, suffer from hearing loss. However, only 15 million people will avoid seeking treatment to help them hear better.
That’s a shame because hearing treatments have come a long way and are capable of improving hearing in measurable ways. Innovations in technology and medicine are leading to many effective treatments for all types of hearing loss.
Perhaps many are avoiding treatment simply due to confusion. With so many hearing treatment options, how do you know which one is best for you? And which treatment effectively addresses your specific type of hearing loss?
Read on we’re covering the four primary hearing loss treatments for the different types of hearing loss.
Remove Wax
It’s actually good news if your hearing loss is caused by wax buildup in your ear. That’s because hearing loss due to earwax blockage is actually reversible. When you remove the earwax, your hearing should restore immediately.
Earwax is usually present as fluid in the middle ear or a perforated eardrum. It is a sign of conductive hearing loss and is only temporary.
The procedure to remove earwax is fairly simple. Your doctor may use suction or a small tool with a loop end to extract excess earwax.
Hearing Aids
Unlike conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and the loss in hearing ability is not restorable. As a result, the most common and effective treatment is hearing aids.
Hearing aids work by amplifying sound allowing you to hear more clearly and communicate more effectively.
You can find hearing aids in a multitude of styles, sizes and colors. They are equipped with many different features depending on your budget. Some hearing aids are worn behind the ear while others fit a small tube in the ear. Speak with your doctor to make a choice according to your hearing loss needs and your personal preference.
Check with your insurance provider to see if hearing support devices are covered. Hearing aids are covered through Medicare supplemental insurance and her is how to to get free aids for seniors.
Cochlear Implants
Another treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is cochlear implants. These implants provide a solid option for those with more severe hearing loss. If you receive only marginal benefits from using hearing aids, talk to your doctor about cochlear implants.
Here’s how cochlear implants work: Instead of amplifying sound in your ear canal like a hearing aid, a cochlear implant stimulates the hearing nerve directly as an electrical pulse. In this way, cochlear implants bypass normal hearing pathways to improve your hearing ability.
Surgical Procedures
Sometimes hearing loss is a result of physical abnormalities of the eardrum or inner ear bones called ossicles. In this case, surgery can help to stop hearing loss and is another option to consider.
For example, if you have experienced multiple ear infections with the presence of fluid, your doctor can use small tubes to drain your ears.
It’s important to follow up with your doctor after a surgical procedure to make sure the cause of the hearing loss will not return.
The Bottom Line on Hearing Treatments for All Types of hearing loss
Hearing loss is common but you don’t have to live with it. There are many types of hearing loss, but with advancements in research and technology, chances are good you can stop hearing loss and even reverse it in some cases.
Remember, the key to saving your hearing is to stop hearing loss as soon as you notice it. So if you have trouble hearing, find a hearing professional and schedule an appointment.
If you found this article helpful, please check out our 10-minute exercise routines to make a big impact in a small amount of time.
