Treatment Options for Hearing Loss
Before being able to comprehend hearing loss, it is important to go over the anatomy of the ear and how hearing works. The ear has three parts: outer, middle, and inner. The outer ear consists of the pinna, ear canal, and ear drum. The middle ear contains three bones: malleus, incus, and stapes. Part of the eustachian tube is also located in the middle ear. Lastly, the inner ear consists of the cochlea, semicircular canals, and the vestibular nerve.
How does hearing work? Hearing begins with the outer ear, where a sound or vibration travels to the eardrum and causes it to vibrate. From there, the eardrum causes the bones in the middle ear to vibrate. The vibrations pass through the middle ear into the inner ear where they meet the cochlea. The vibrations become electrical nerve impulses that are sent to the brain from the auditory nerve, creating sound.
There are different causes of hearing loss including advanced age, impacted earwax, malfunction of the hearing bones, and fluid buildup behind the eardrum. Learn more about the different types of hearing loss and treatment options with Breathe Clear.
Types of Hearing Loss
The three different types of hearing loss are conductive, sensorineural, and mixed.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound can’t reach the inner ear. Causes of conductive hearing loss include an excess of earwax in the ear canal, a chronic ear infection, fluid in the middle ear, foreign bodies, a perforated eardrum, cholesteatoma, eustachian tube dysfunction, and more. Treatment options vary depending on the cause of hearing loss. Potential treatment options include earwax removal, surgery, or an implanted hearing device.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear. It is a common type of permanent hearing loss and is typically caused by trauma to the head, loud noise, genetics, disease, and aging. Implants, hearing aids, and surgical procedures may be recommended. Breathe Clear is currently offering a clinical trial for stable sensorineural hearing loss. To learn more about if you qualify for this study, click here.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss consists of both conductive damage and sensorineural damage. Causes of mixed hearing loss include infections, head trauma, exposure to noise, genetics, and more. The process of treating mixed hearing loss depends on the mechanism that is causing the problem.
Speak With an Experienced ENT Doctor at Breathe Clear Institute
Hearing loss is a leading health problem in the United States. If you are having issues hearing or believe something is not right, it is important to seek out help from an experienced ENT doctor. As a patient at Breathe Clear, our providers will conduct a thorough exam and hearing test to determine the proper diagnosis and treatment option for you. We specialize in offering the most innovative treatments in the South Bay for allergies, sinus, ears and throat conditions in a friendly and sophisticated environment. Get the relief you deserve today by scheduling an appointment.