Hearing Loss

What is Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a partial or total loss of the ability to hear. This can be temporary or permanent, and it can happen in one or both ears. Hearing loss may be referred to as deafness.

Medical care is necessary to treat hearing loss properly and to prevent the condition from getting worse. Your hearing may partially or completely come back, depending on what caused your hearing loss and how severe it is. In some cases, hearing loss is permanent.

What are the causes?

Common causes of hearing loss include:

  • Too much wax in the ear canal.
  • Infection of the ear canal or middle ear.
  • Fluid in the middle ear.
  • Injury to the ear or surrounding area.
  • An object stuck in the ear.
  • Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, such as music.

Less common causes of hearing loss include:

  • Tumors in the ear.
  • Viral or bacterial infections, such as meningitis.
  • A hole in the eardrum (perforated eardrum).
  • Problems with the hearing nerve that sends signals between the brain and the ear.
  • Certain medicines.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition may include:

  • Difficulty telling the difference between sounds.
  • Difficulty following a conversation when there is background noise.
  • Lack of response to sounds in your environment. This may be most noticeable when you do not respond to startling sounds.
  • Needing to turn up the volume on the television, radio, etc.
  • Ringing in the ears.
  • Dizziness.
  • Pain in the ears.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on a physical exam and a hearing test (audiometry). The audiometry test will be performed by a hearing specialist (audiologist). You may also be referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist (otolaryngologist).

How is this treated?

Treatment for recent onset of hearing loss may include:

  • Ear wax removal.
  • Being prescribed medicines to prevent infection (antibiotics).
  • Being prescribed medicines to reduce inflammation (corticosteroids).

Follow these instructions at home:

  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Avoid loud noises.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You feel dizzy.
  • You develop new symptoms.
  • You vomit or feel nauseous.
  • You have a fever.

Get help right away if:

  • You develop sudden changes in your vision.
  • You have severe ear pain.
  • You have new or increased weakness.
  • You have a severe headache.
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