Hearing Center - Treatments for Auditory Loss That Work

When someone says that auditory loss and ear damage is irreversible, they may only be talking about one particular kind of impairment. For others, there may be treatments that can help. Even for those who do not have reversible damage, there are devices and forms of technology that can assist you in coping with your disability. To find out more information, talk to your doctor or visit a hearing center. They will be able to explain the degree of your loss and what treatments may be effective in helping you.

Removing Ear Wax

In fortunate cases, it may turn out that your inability to hear is not due to noise or illness-related impairment, but rather to simple ear wax blockage. Wax forms in our ears to keep damaging particles from getting inside. But in some people, the wax production gets excessive. Unless you have a good routine for preventing buildup, it can get out of control. If wax completely blocks the passageway from the outer ear to the inner ear, your ability to hear sound will become greatly compromised. A doctor can remove this wax for you and restore your ability to hear almost instantly.

Listening Aids

This is the most common assistive device for those with auditory impairment. If you visit a hearing center, you will be tested for the degree of loss and recommended a device with the proper amplification settings. Is this type of device for everyone? Perhaps not. If you have very mild loss, the use of such an aid might be more of an annoyance to you than a benefit. The only way to know if to discuss your options with an audiologist and, ultimately, try it out for yourself. Keep in mind there are many different models out there and many features, so if you find that one type doesn't suit you, there may still be one that does.

Cochlear Implants

If you have severe loss or are nearly deaf, nothing a hearing center can provide may be enough to make a difference. In these instances, a doctor may recommend getting a cochlear implant. Heralded as a miracle invention for the deaf, these implants can actually compensate for the parts of the inner ear that are not functioning correctly. While it won't restore your ability to hear to completely natural levels, it is nonetheless the only working treatment for those with inner ear damage. An audiologist, along with a good ear, nose, and throat doctor can tell you if such a surgery would be appropriate for your condition.