What are the causes of hearing loss ?
Hearing loss can result from an obstruction or damage in any of the three parts of the ear
Wax (cerumen)
When wax becomes impacted in the ear canal, it acts as an ear plug, blocking sound waves from striking the eardrum. Excessive wax may be softened with wax-softening drops and flushed out or removed by a physician or other trained personnel. Q-tips should never be used to remove impacted wax because they may push the wax deeper into the canal or puncture the eardrum if pressed too deeply
Foreign objects
Small objects put in the ears, such as beads or food, can block sound or rupture an eardrum.
Swimmer's ear
This painful bacterial infection can cause the ear canal to swell shut, resulting in a temporary hearing loss, and occurs when the ear canal remains wet after bathing or swimming.
Otitis media (middle ear infection)
This is the most common cause of conductive hearing loss in children. Otitis media is a general term used to describe a variety of conditions affecting the middle ear. More than 85% of all children will have at least one ear infection in childhood. In fact, ear infections are second only to well-baby checks as the reason for office visits to a physician.
There are various forms and causes of otitis media. The single most frequent factor is infected adenoids which harbor bacteria or obstruct the Eustachian tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose (nasopharynx).
Ear infections also may result from upper respiratory infections or exposure to cigarette smoke. The two most common types of otitis media are acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion.
1.Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Ear pain, fever, restlessness and some hearing loss are common symptoms of acute otitis media (suppurative otitis media). This type of ear infection may heal by itself or respond to antibiotics. In some cases, acute otitis media may cause the ear drum to rupture, causing fluid drainage from the ear. If left untreated, it could lead to more severe middle or inner ear conditions.
2.Otitis Media with Effusion (OME)
Fluid frequently follows an episode of acute otitis media. OME occurs when fluid remains in the middle ear, impeding ear drum vibrations and middle ear bone movement. This can cause mild-to-moderate degrees of hearing loss. In very young children, this hearing loss may hinder spoken language development.
The treatment of OME is controversial. Sometimes, the infection heals on its own or with the help of antibiotics or myringotomy to drain the fluid. At other times, it resists these conventional approaches. If the infection persists and hearing loss is evident, ventilation or pressure equalizing (PE) tympanostomy tubes may be inserted to drain the fluid. These tubes can remain in the ear for several months or even years.
Tubes can restore hearing, prevent persistent fluid build-up, reduce the frequency of ear infections and prevent other serious ear complications.
Sensorneural hearing loss may occur during pregnancy, during delivery and after birth. It can also be inherited.
This type of hearing loss can often benefit from the right technology. There is now a wide array of options available.
If you are worried that your child might have one of the above problems, you should seek the advice of a medical practitioner immediately.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing or other sound in the head. It may occur in conjunction with a hearing loss. The causes of tinnitus are very variant as those of hearing loss and the cause may not be evident in the individual case.
What are the Consequences ?
In the USA in 1999, the National Council on the Ageing (NCOA) carried out a survey among people who have a hearing loss.
The NCOA survey showed that most hearing instrument users reported significant improvement in their quality of life since they started using hearing instruments.
The survey also showed that, in comparison to people who use hearing instruments, those who do not were more likely to report the following:
- Sadness and depression
- Worry and anxiety
- Paranoia
- Less social activity
- Emotional turmoil and insecurity
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