Millions of people around the world suffer from hearing loss. Its impact is often downplayed in our society, but it can be quite traumatic to some people. For many, it can result in social, psychological, and physical problems. The question is, is it possible to reverse hearing loss? In many cases, you can, but it all depends on the type of hearing loss. Let’s explore what can be done to restore part or all of your hearing.
Are There Any Drugs That Fix Hearing Loss?
Unfortunately, there are no drugs available to treat standard hearing loss related to ageing or noise exposure. Researchers in the field of hearing impairment and auditory processing are still trying to figure out a way to cure hearing loss by taking medication. For now, there have been no approved drugs that could restore hearing loss, whether partially or fully.
Treatment Options for Hearing Loss
Some types of hearing loss are temporary and can be easily reversed through a variety of treatment options. But for adults experiencing permanent hearing loss, it gets more complicated in terms of treatment. Let’s look at some of the possible ways to restore hearing.
Hearing Aids
Nowadays, hearing aids are very discreet pieces of technology. They’ve become similarly compact as computers and mobile phones. Hearing specialists prescribe hearing aids with the patient’s needs in mind. As most people know, it takes a lot of adjustment for the individual if they want their hearing aid to be effective. Every device is specially designed for its wearer and must address the hearing needs of the wearer. Adjustments include the overall volume and pitches they may have difficulty with.
Cochlear Implants
A cochlear implant is a type of surgery for individuals who have little to no residual hearing. The surgery works by bypassing a severely damaged cochlea to send electrical impulses to the hearing nerves that the brain can translate as meaningful sound. This is considered a last resort as most patients who undergo this surgery have used hearing aids before without success.
Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems
Bone-anchored hearing systems, or BAHAs, are surgically implanted devices. They’re typically used for people who have hearing loss in one ear, or who have outer ear or ear canal malformations, such as microtia.
The surgeon implants a small metal device into the mastoid bone behind the ear. After the area has healed, the ENT or an audiologist fits the wearer with a device similar to a hearing aid that fits snugly over the bone implant. The way BAHAs work is when the device converts sound to vibrations, stimulating sound waves in the inner ear via the implant.
Stapedectomy
When a person suffers from conductive hearing loss or when the tiny bones of the middle ear become ineffective at transmitting sound, a stapedectomy procedure is recommended. This procedure is performed to replace the stapes with a prosthetic device. Reserved for specific medical conditions that create conductive hearing loss, stapedectomies are not used for sensorineural hearing loss.
Conclusion
When it comes to managing your hearing loss, the best thing you can do is seek treatment as soon as possible and enjoy all the benefits of clear hearing. While it’s not always possible to fully regain your hearing, there are always ways to improve your quality of life and make you more comfortable despite your hearing loss.
At Fraser Valley Beltone, we help you get another chance at regaining your hearing in a way that feels very natural. We engineer comfort and ease into every style of hearing aid we make. For all your hearing needs, visit our Langley and Abbotsford hearing clinic.