The human body has some amazing and surprising abilities. Scrapes, cuts, and broken bones are generally no problem for the human body to mend (with a bit of time, your body can repair the huge bones in your arms and legs).
But when it comes to mending the fragile little hairs in your ear, it’s not going to happen. For now at least.
It doesn’t seem exactly fair when you can heal from major bone injuries but you have problems repairing tiny hairs in your ear. What’s happening there?
When is Hearing Impairment Permanent?
So let’s have a closer look. You’re at your doctor’s office trying to process the news he’s giving you: you have hearing loss. So you ask your doctor if your hearing will ever come back. And the answer is… it depends.
It’s a little anticlimactic, speaking dramatically.
But it’s also the truth. Hearing loss comes in two general forms:
- Hearing loss caused by damage: But hearing loss has another more common type. This form of hearing loss, known as sensorineural hearing loss, is irreversible. Here’s what happens: inside of your ear, there are tiny hairs that vibrate when moved by sound waves. When vibrations are converted into signals, they are sent to the brain which renders them into the sounds you perceive. But loud sounds can cause damage to the hairs and, over time, diminish your hearing to the point where you need treatment.
- Blockage induced hearing loss: When there’s something blocking your ear canal, you can show all the symptoms of hearing loss. This obstruction can be caused by a number of things, from the gross (ear wax) to the downright frightening (tumors). The good news is that once the obstruction is cleared, your hearing usually returns to normal.
So the bottom line is this: there’s one form of hearing loss you can recuperate from, and you might need to get examined to see which one you’re dealing with.
Hearing Loss Treatment
So at this time there’s no “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss (though scientists are working on it). But your hearing loss still may be treatable. Here are some ways that the proper treatment might help you:
- Reduce mental decline.
- Successfully cope with any of the symptoms of hearing loss you may be experiencing.
- Protect and maintain your remaining hearing.
- Maintain a high quality of life.
- Remain active socially, keeping isolation away.
Of the many forms of treatment available, which one is right for you depends on the seriousness of your hearing loss. One of the most common treatments is pretty simple: hearing aids.
Why Are Hearing Aids a Practical Treatment For Hearing Impairment?
You can return to the people and things you love with the assistance of hearing aids. They can help you hear the conversation, the phone, your tv, or even just the birds in the park. Hearing aids can also remove some of the pressure from your brain because you won’t be struggling to hear.
The Best Protection is Prevention
Whether you have hearing loss now or not, you should safeguard your hearing from loud sounds and other things that can damage your hearing (like ototoxic drugs). Your overall health and well being depend on strong hearing. Regular hearing care, such as annual hearing exams, is just another kind of self-care.