Conditions That Cause Hearing Impairment

Ageing is the most common cause of hearing impairment. Around 1 in 2 adults over 65 years experience some form of hearing loss. Some of the causes of age-related hearing impairment are as follows.

Changes that happen in the structure of the inner ear
Changes that happen in blood flow to the ear
Impairment of the nerves that are responsible for hearing
Changes might happen in the way the brain processes speech and sound
The tiny hairs in the ear might get damaged in older adults. They transmit sound to the brain; any damage can cause hearing loss.

Other causes of hearing impairment:

High decibel sounds and exposure to loud noises for a more extended period
Smoking
Certain medications like antibiotics, aspirin, and drugs for malaria
Family history of hearing impairment
Illnesses such as heart disease, elevated levels of blood pressure, and diabetes
Trauma like a skull fracture or punctured eardrum
Blockage of the ear canal due to infections and ear wax
Certain bone diseases of the ear

Symptoms Of Hearing Impairment

Age-related hearing impairment begins with an inability to hear high-pitched sounds. Hearing children's and women's voices and background noises will be difficult. They may also find it difficult to hear voices.

General symptoms of hearing impairment are as follows:

Some sounds seem too loud
It will be challenging to hear in noisy places
Ringing sensation in the ears
They may raise the volume of television or radio
They may ask others to repeat the sentences
They may not be able to understand telephonic conversations

What is a Hearing aid?

Hearing loss can be treated with surgery or medical help, but these treatments are not suitable for everyone. Technological advancements in hearing aids have significantly improved the quality of hearing and have been very helpful in managing hearing loss. Hearing aids suit members with an open ear canal and a regular external ear.

A hearing aid is a tiny, battery-powered electronic device worn in or behind the ear. Hearing aids are composed of a microphone, an amplifier and a receiver, each with a specific function as follows:

Microphone picks up sounds in the area
The sounds are made louder by an amplifier connected to the device
The amplified sounds are sent to the receiver

How Does a Hearing Aid Help ?

Hearing aids help people hear better in noisy and quiet environments. They are suitable for those with inner ear or auditory nerve impairment. Several other options, like surgery and medical treatment to manage hearing loss, are only appropriate for some. These devices are ideal for those with an open ear canal and a regular external ear.

Types Of Hearing Aids

A healthcare professional has to be consulted before selecting a hearing aid. He will conduct tests to identify the type of hearing loss and the extent of damage. The type of hearing aid you will need depends on the following:

Lifestyle
Age
Type of hearing impairment
Severity of hearing impairment
Ability to manage small devices
Cost of the device

The specialist might recommend any of the two kinds of hearing aids:

Analog hearing aids: The regular sound waves are converted into electric signals made louder with an amplifier. They are relatively less costly and are equipped with simple volume controls.
Digital hearing aids: The mechanism is similar to analogue devices, but the sound waves are converted into numerical codes, which are further amplified. These are more sophisticated, with the ability to adjust the sound based on your needs and location. Many of them can change the sound automatically, making them very user-friendly. They are expensive but more effective than analogue devices.

Hearing aids are divided into various styles based on the size and placement of the device:

Canal hearing aids: They are smaller and placed inside the ear. In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid, completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aid and invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing aid are the different types of this style.
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids: They come with a hard plastic case that holds the electronic components and is fixed inside the outer ear.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) : The hearing aids are fixed in a hard plastic case behind the ear.

Adjusting To a Hearing Aid

Hearing aids cannot replace natural hearing or what it used to be. With practice, users can tune in to the hearing aid and improve their comprehension of sounds. It will take time and patience to get used to the device. Some hearing aid providers allow you to use the device for a trial period to see if it works. You can return the device with a partial refund if that does not fit your needs.

You have to work closely with your doctor to avoid the following problems:

Discomfort with the device
Echo-like sounds from your voice
Feedback or a whistling sound
Background noise
Device causing a buzzing sound with the use of a cell phone

Start using the hearing aid in quiet places initially and monitor the response.

How To Care For Your Hearing Aid

Hearing aids have some delicate electronic components and should be handled carefully. They usually can last 3 to 6 years, but you may have to replace them if your hearing loss worsens. Some recommendations from the experts to increase the durability of the hearing aid:

Clean the hearing aid regularly as per the instructions
The device can be switched off if it is not in use
Always use charged batteries. Replace them regularly
The hearing aid should always be kept away from children, heat, moisture, hair care products and pets.

Behind-the-ear devices have more flexibility as they are suitable for a broader range of hearing loss. Digital devices have an advantage as they can be upgraded based on the advances in computer technology.

What is a cochlear implant?

Hearing aids are not suitable for everyone. A cochlear implant suits those with severe hearing impairment from inner ear damage. The implant restores hearing to a certain extent by stimulating the auditory nerve to provide the sensation of the sound.

Cochlear implants include external and internal components coupled with a strong magnet. The external components include a microphone, a speech processor, and a transmitter. The internal component has a receiver. The speech processor captures sound signals and sends them to the receiver. The signals are then sent to the brain and interpreted as sound.

Member who had cochlear implants report:

Improved ability to hear speech
Ability to recognise regular environment sounds
Improved ability to listen in a noisy environment
Improved ability to find the direction of the sound
Ability to hear TV programs
Ability to hear telephonic conversations

Should you get a cochlear implantation surgery?

A specialist performs cochlear implantation surgery, and it is usually safe. Some of the risks of the surgery are as follows:

There may be residual hearing loss or any remaining ability to hear in members with a cochlear implant.
The surgery may cause meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) in some children. Your doctor might recommend some preventive measures like vaccination before the surgery.
Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to replace a malfunctioning device.
In some extreme cases, infections might happen at the surgery site. Surgery might also cause facial paralysis.

The surgery will be performed under anaesthesia, so you must follow specific measures before the procedure. Your doctor will explain to you about the medications and diet to be followed.

After the surgery, there may be slight pressure or discomfort over the implanted ear(s), nausea, and dizziness. You can return home on the day of surgery or the next day. You will need to revisit the clinic to get the stitches removed. Your specialist will perform specific tasks to activate the implant.

Hearing aids versus cochlear implantation what is right for you ?

Hearing aids are suitable for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. However, they may not be ideal for those who are deaf or with severe hearing impairment. Cochlear implants may be suitable for them.

Hearing aids are removable and can be taken in or out by the user. They are small devices ideal for children with mild to moderate hearing loss. Cochlear implants must be inserted through a complex surgical procedure by a specialist. They provide the sensation of sound for deaf individuals or those with profound hearing loss.

Both hearing aids and cochlear implants are suitable for those with hearing loss caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear and/or the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss is also called sensorineural hearing loss.

A healthcare professional will evaluate your hearing loss and recommend a device based on the extent of damage and your preferences.