Treatment
Treatment includes:
Earwax Removal
This is probably the simplest, easiest treatment for hearing loss.
Hearing Aids
There are many types. Digital technology has created tiny devices that cause little distortion.
Devices
One example of a device is the FM trainer. With this device, a person speaks into a microphone. The sound is then transmitted by radio waves directly to the earphone set worn on your ear. This can be particularly helpful if you have trouble hearing speech when there is background noise. FM trainers can also help children with hearing loss to understand their teachers.
Cochlear Implant
This device is surgically implanted. It directly stimulates part of the brain and uses a tiny computer microprocessor to sort out incoming sound.
Treat Other Medical Illnesses
When hearing loss is caused by other medical conditions, it may be possible to improve hearing by treating those conditions.
Discontinue or Change Medications
If your hearing loss may be caused or worsened by a medication, talk to your doctor about stopping that particular drug, or changing to a drug that doesn't affect hearing.
Address Nutritional Deficiencies
It may be possible to slow age-related hearing loss in elderly persons through dietary modification. In a recent study, 728 men and women with age-related hearing loss and low folic acid levels in their blood were given either folic acid supplements (800 µg) or placebo for three years. Hearing decline for speech was slower in the group that received folic acid during that period of time. *
Surgery
Surgery may be done in some cases of conductive hearing loss to correct the middle ear problem, such as in otosclerosis , ossicular damage or fixation, and ear infections.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.