The human body is a wonderful, beautiful, perplexing, confounding construction, isn’t it? The human body generally has no problem healing cuts, scratches, or broken bones (I mean, sure, it takes some time, but your body can actually repair the giant bones in your legs and arms with little more than some time and a splint).
But you won’t be so fortunate if the delicate hairs in your ears are damaged. For now anyway.
It doesn’t seem really fair when you can recover from considerable bone injuries but you have problems repairing tiny hairs in your ear. So what’s the deal?
When is Hearing Loss Irreversible?
So, let’s get right down to it. You’re sitting in your doctor’s office and you’re absorbing the news: you’re losing your hearing. So the first question you ask is whether the hearing will ever return. And the answer is… it depends.
Dramatically speaking, it’s a bit anticlimactic.
But it’s also the truth. Hearing loss comes in two primary forms:
- Hearing loss due to damage: But hearing loss has another more prevalent type. Known scientifically as sensorineural hearing loss, this type of hearing loss is effectively irreversible. This is how it works: In your ear, there are little hairs that vibrate when struck by sound waves. Your brain is good at turning these vibrations into the sounds you hear. But loud sounds can cause harm to the hairs and, over time, diminish your hearing to the point where you require treatment.
- Blockage induced hearing loss: When there’s something blocking your ear canal, you can exhibit all the symptoms of hearing loss. A wide range of things, from something gross (earwax) to something frightening (a tumor), can be the cause of this blockage. Fortunately, once the obstruction is cleared, your hearing often goes back to normal.
So here’s the main point: you can recover from one form of hearing loss and you most likely won’t know which one you have without getting a hearing test.
Hearing Loss Treatment
Scientists haven’t discovered a “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss but they’re working on it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get treatment for your hearing loss. Here are some ways that the correct treatment may help you:
- Counter mental decline.
- Ensure your general quality of life is untouched or stays high.
- Protect and maintain your remaining hearing.
- Successfully cope with any of the symptoms of hearing loss you may be experiencing.
- Remain active socially, keeping isolation at bay.
This treatment can take many forms, and it’ll usually depend on how significant your hearing loss is. One of the most common treatments is pretty simple: hearing aids.
Why Are Hearing Aids a Smart Treatment For Hearing Impairment?
You can get back to the things and people you love with the assistance of hearing aids. With the help of hearing aids, you can begin to hear conversations, your television, your phone, and sounds of nature once again. You will no longer be struggling to hear so pressure will be taken off your brain.
Prevention is The Best Protection
Whether you have hearing loss now or not, you should protect your hearing from loud sounds and other things that can damage your hearing (like ototoxic drugs). Hearing well is critical to your general health and well-being. Having regular hearing exams is the best way to be certain that you are safeguarding your hearing.