Lifestyle changes
Turn off background noise. If you have trouble understanding what people are saying, get rid of distracting background sounds by turning off the TV, radio or CD player, running the dishwasher at night or moving away from whatever's making the commotion.
Teach your family and friends how to speak. A few simple suggestions can help those who talk to you most communicate more clearly. They don't need to shout, but tell them to speak a little louder and enunciate well. Make sure they face you squarely and don't have anything in their mouth, such as chewing gum or food.
Procedures
Many people with hearing loss are greatly helped by a hearing aid. These devices basically ampify sounds. A tiny microphone picks up sound waves and converts them to electrical signals, which are then sent through an amplifier to your ear. Although it's important to keep in mind that a hearing aid can't return your hearing to normal, it can certainly improve it, and your quality of life as well. One study of 2300 hearing-impaired adulst over age 50 found that those with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety and paranoia than those with hearing aids. The untreated group also felt more isolated and was less likely to take part in organised social activities. So if your doctor or otolaryngologist recommends a hearing aid, take the advice. (see below.)
If you have lost most or all of your hearing, a cochlear implant may restore a sense of sound that can help you understand speech
A cochlear implant is a wonder. Here's how it works: a mini-microphone behind the outer ear picks up sounds and send them to a calculator-sized speech processor (often worn on a belt). The processor arranges the sounds and sends them to a transmitter implanted in the ear. The transmitter then converts the sounds to electrical impulses, sending them along an array of electrodes implanted in the cochlea. The electrodes stimualte the auditory nerve to deliver the impulses to the brain.
THE FACTS ABOUT EARWAX
Earwax gets a bum rap. We really should be more appreciative. Glands near the outer ear canal form this waxy substance to protect the ear canals and eardrums from water and infection.
The wax traps dirt and dust particles, lubricates the skin in the ear canals and even helps fight off fungus and various bacteria.
Earwax normally performs its thinkless tasks and then migrates towards the outer ear, white it dries up and flakes way. Problems can arise, however, when there's too much wax. A build-up can block the ear canal and cause temporary hearing loss. Consider the following solutions for dealing with a build-up of earwax:
BUYING A HEARING AID: KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
If your doctor recommends a hearing aid, see an audiologist to determine which type best suits your needs. The one you get will be based on how much hearing you have, your daily activities, cosmetic concerns and cost.
There are three main types of hearing aids, including:
In about 2 to 3 percent of cases, hearing loss may be caused by a hereditary disorder called otosclerosis, in which abnormal bone forms around the tiny bones in the ear known as the ossicles. During stapedectomy surgery, one of the bones (the tapes) is replaced by a prosthesis made of plastic and wire. Such a procedure can be very effective in restoring hearing.
Medications
For most cases of natural hearing loss that develop as you get older or from exposure to loud noises, there are no medications that can improve the condition. But when hearing loss is caused by another problem, you may find relief in a bottle. For instance, if hearing loss is the result of earwax build-up in your ear, cerumenolytics (Cerumol, Waxsol) can help dissolve the wax and clear up the problem. Antibiotics combat ear infections (see ear infection) and an anticoagulant can help if your hearing loss is caused by a blood clot in an artery feeding the ear. For loss of hearing related to various allergies (see Allergies), antithistamines and decongestants may provide you with some relief.
Turn off background noise. If you have trouble understanding what people are saying, get rid of distracting background sounds by turning off the TV, radio or CD player, running the dishwasher at night or moving away from whatever's making the commotion.
Teach your family and friends how to speak. A few simple suggestions can help those who talk to you most communicate more clearly. They don't need to shout, but tell them to speak a little louder and enunciate well. Make sure they face you squarely and don't have anything in their mouth, such as chewing gum or food.
Procedures
Many people with hearing loss are greatly helped by a hearing aid. These devices basically ampify sounds. A tiny microphone picks up sound waves and converts them to electrical signals, which are then sent through an amplifier to your ear. Although it's important to keep in mind that a hearing aid can't return your hearing to normal, it can certainly improve it, and your quality of life as well. One study of 2300 hearing-impaired adulst over age 50 found that those with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety and paranoia than those with hearing aids. The untreated group also felt more isolated and was less likely to take part in organised social activities. So if your doctor or otolaryngologist recommends a hearing aid, take the advice. (see below.)
If you have lost most or all of your hearing, a cochlear implant may restore a sense of sound that can help you understand speech
A cochlear implant is a wonder. Here's how it works: a mini-microphone behind the outer ear picks up sounds and send them to a calculator-sized speech processor (often worn on a belt). The processor arranges the sounds and sends them to a transmitter implanted in the ear. The transmitter then converts the sounds to electrical impulses, sending them along an array of electrodes implanted in the cochlea. The electrodes stimualte the auditory nerve to deliver the impulses to the brain.
THE FACTS ABOUT EARWAX
Earwax gets a bum rap. We really should be more appreciative. Glands near the outer ear canal form this waxy substance to protect the ear canals and eardrums from water and infection.
The wax traps dirt and dust particles, lubricates the skin in the ear canals and even helps fight off fungus and various bacteria.
Earwax normally performs its thinkless tasks and then migrates towards the outer ear, white it dries up and flakes way. Problems can arise, however, when there's too much wax. A build-up can block the ear canal and cause temporary hearing loss. Consider the following solutions for dealing with a build-up of earwax:
- Use a warm, wet face cloth to clean your outer ear whenever you shower or bathe.
- Try using warm olive oil or baby oil if you have earwax accumulation. Place the oil in an eye-dropper and put one or two drops in your ear a couple of times a week.
- Consider hydrogen peroxide. This is another option to soften earwax and help it make its natural migration out of your ear. Use an eyedropper and place a couple of drops in your ears once a week.
- See a doctor, especially if the earwax has become impacted. Your doctor is equipped to clear out problem wax with prescription wax softeners, water jets or special instruments.
BUYING A HEARING AID: KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
If your doctor recommends a hearing aid, see an audiologist to determine which type best suits your needs. The one you get will be based on how much hearing you have, your daily activities, cosmetic concerns and cost.
There are three main types of hearing aids, including:
- In-the-ear (ITE). This model fits completely in the outer ear, and all components are contained in a hard plastic case. It can be used for mild to severe hearing loss.
- Behind-the-ear (BTE). The components are held in a case behind the ear, connected to a plastic near mould that fits inside the outer ear. A BTE hearing aid is for mild to profound hearing loss.
- In-the-canal (ITC). This is customised to fit in the ear canal, and hardly shows. It treats mild to moderately severe mild to moderately severe hearing impairement.
- Analogue/adjustable. This circuitry is built by a laboratory to specifications based on volume levels and other information your audiologist sends them. Only slight adjustments can be made once the hearing aid is delivered. This is generally the least expensive mechanism.
- Analogue/Programmable. Programmed by a computer, this type can handle more than one program at a time. It lets the wearer change the settings depending on the listening environment, such as a walk in the country versus dinner in a noisy restaurant.
- Digital/Programmable. Digital circuitry is programmed by computer, and sound quality and response time can be calibrated for you. The digital microchip provides the most flexibility, so your audiologist can make individual adjustments. This is typically the most expensive circuitry.
- Remote control devices. Many hearing aids come with remote control devices, which are particularly useful for people who have difficulty manually adjusting their hearing aid.
In about 2 to 3 percent of cases, hearing loss may be caused by a hereditary disorder called otosclerosis, in which abnormal bone forms around the tiny bones in the ear known as the ossicles. During stapedectomy surgery, one of the bones (the tapes) is replaced by a prosthesis made of plastic and wire. Such a procedure can be very effective in restoring hearing.
Medications
For most cases of natural hearing loss that develop as you get older or from exposure to loud noises, there are no medications that can improve the condition. But when hearing loss is caused by another problem, you may find relief in a bottle. For instance, if hearing loss is the result of earwax build-up in your ear, cerumenolytics (Cerumol, Waxsol) can help dissolve the wax and clear up the problem. Antibiotics combat ear infections (see ear infection) and an anticoagulant can help if your hearing loss is caused by a blood clot in an artery feeding the ear. For loss of hearing related to various allergies (see Allergies), antithistamines and decongestants may provide you with some relief.
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