There are many causes of deafness problems. It may be genetic, or it may be a side effect of an accident, disease or medication. But one thing you must keep in mind is that it is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition.
Deafness problems can be divided into two types, namely conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. The former can be treated with surgery or medication. The second is not correctable, which is why the use of implants is very common.
Your doctor will only know the extent of your deafness problem after reviewing the results of a hearing test.
There are different types of conductive hearing loss. These are eustachian tube blockage, fluid in the ear, infection, mastoid bone infection, otosclerosis, tympanic membrane rupture and wax buildup.
If you happen to have a blocked eustachian tube, your doctor will have to insert a tube into the eardrum to stop the blockage.
Fluid in the ear is usually caused by an infection. It may go away on its own, which is why your doctor will make a small incision in the ear drum and then drain it and wait to see what happens.
If you have an ear infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics or ear drops.
If there is an infection of the mastoid bone, it can be treated with antibiotics and in some cases surgery may be needed.
A ruptured eardrum similar to a fluid in the ear can heal on its own or with antibiotics. If there is no change, then your doctor may have to perform surgery.
The only way to treat otosclerosis is surgery. The doctor will go in and replace the damaged middle ear bone and place a tiny metal replacement.
If there is a buildup of ear wax, a trained professional will do a probe and then use a water irrigation or suction device to remove the ear wax.
As mentioned earlier, there is no way to permanently treat sensorineural hearing problems. The only thing a doctor can recommend is a cochlear implant. This device is fitted to allow a person to hear.
This is different from a hearing aid because the implant does not amplify sound, but works directly by stimulating any functioning auditory nerve in the cochlea through electrical impulses.
A cochlear implant consists of a microphone, a speech processor and a radio frequency transmitter. According to one study, more than 100,000 people have had cochlear implants.
Why so low, you may ask? This is because a cochlear implant is very expensive. It can cost between $40,000 and $100,000, depending on the needs of the individual and the center where the procedure is performed. Those who have had the surgery say it is worth it because it helps them read lips better.
So, if you have the money, does this mean you can have a cochlear implant? Not yet, because you have to have certain conditions. You must have severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears, have a normal auditory nerve that wouldn’t work otherwise, have good communication skills, have tried other hearing aids without improvement, be suitable for the procedure, and have a nearby facility to monitor your progress.
Treating deafness problems can be both simple and complex. If you want to hear, you must see a doctor to find out what the problem is before any options are proposed.