Hearing loss is one of the concerning problems all around the world. With increasing noise around us, the problem is only increasing day by day. Hearing loss not only affects the hearing ability of a person but also affects the lifestyle, physical, and mental health of a person.
In this article, we are going to break down the challenges a person faces due to hearing loss and how to cope up with them.
Causes of Hearing Loss:
Our inner ear is responsible for sending sound signals to our brain. If there is any damage or blockage there, our brain cannot receive the sounds, which initiates the hearing loss problem. If not treated early, the problem increases with time and causes deafness. There are various reasons for hearing loss. Some of the common causes are:
- Aging
- Injury
- Exposure to loud noises
- Viral infections
- Medicine induced hearing loss
- Long term health conditions like diabetes
Types of Hearing Loss:
There are mainly three types of hearing loss seen in people. They are:
Sensorineural hearing loss-
This type of hearing loss occurs when the nerves of the inner ear or hair cells, or both are damaged. With age, the effectiveness of the nerves and the hair cells can get reduced.
Moreover, loud noise can severely damage the inner ear. Therefore, the sound cannot be incorporated into the inner ear, which results in the brain not getting the signals. Hearing aids, cochlear implants can be highly effective for such types of hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss-
This kind of hearing loss mostly occurs when there’s an obstruction in the outer or middle ear. Fluid buildup, earwax, tumors, and even ear formation can be responsible for this type of hearing loss.
It hinders sound from reaching the inner ear; therefore the person develops hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is often treated with medications or by surgery.
Mixed hearing loss-
As the name suggests, this type of hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
Consult an audiologist or ear-nose-throat doctor immediately if you experience problems in hearing. Early detection of the problem often helps greatly in treating hearing loss and restoring it.
Problems Associated with Hearing Loss:
In our daily life, we highly depend upon the core senses. Hearing is one of them which enables us to be aware of our surroundings while interacting with other persons.
When our hearing is affected, we are less aware of our surroundings, which can initiate serious accidents.
Additionally, a person with hearing impairment cannot actively take part in a conversation. They may ask to repeat the conversation again and again, and it may build frustration.
As a result, the person with hearing loss gets isolated from social situations and falls into depression. On the other hand, when a person is deprived of hearing for a long time, the brain tends to work less. Therefore health conditions like dementia can be developed in a person.
As we are living with a pandemic surrounding us, the people with hearing loss are faced with more problems. People are using masks universally to protect themselves from coronavirus. Many people with hearing difficulties rely on lip-reading to understand conversations clearly.
Now that people are covering their mouth, often it’s hard for them to detect if someone is talking with them; it often promotes awkward situations and very uncomfortable exchanges.
Therefore, it’s evident that hearing loss can turn a person’s life upside down.
Fighting Back Hearing Loss:
Hearing loss can be a very gradual process and often is irreversible. Therefore, proper care of one’s hearing organs is the first and foremost step that one can take.
If any sign of hearing loss is observed, consult your doctor immediately. Early detection of hearing loss can be highly beneficial and help one in the long run. Depending on your problem, you may be recommended for a hearing aid or get asked to get surgery.
If you are recommended a hearing aid, you must use it regularly, according to the advice of your audiologist. If you require surgery, get it as soon as possible. Some hearing loss can be genetic, medicine induced, or associated with other long-term health conditions you have. So, be aware of the reason behind the problem and control them accordingly.
In case of other health conditions associated with hearing loss, seek help as soon as possible. You only have one life and body, so keeping it sound should be a high priority.
The COVID-19 has claimed a lot of things from our daily life. However, it has brought out a lot of new possibilities also.
Nowadays, one can adjust their hearing aid with the aid of an online operator while staying at home. Moreover, the researchers are working on clear masks to help out hearing-impaired persons. These kinds of measures were unimaginable in the past, but this pandemic made it a reality.
Where there is a will, there is a way. Hearing loss or deafness can highly impact the life of a person. However, various measures can be taken to minimize the impacts. With proper measures taken, the life of a hearing-impaired person can be less challenging than it already is.
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