Hearing problems usually affect people gradually, and their symptoms may take some time to be identified. If you are looking for information about health care for yourself and your family, you are in the right place. In this article, we will present some evidence of hearing loss, the possible causes of the condition, and treatment options. Follow along to learn more!
KNOW THE TYPES OF HEARING LOSS
Our hearing capacity decreases with age. This usually starts between the ages of 30 and 40. After that, there is a progressive reduction, and in the ’80s, the deficiency becomes significant. Hearing loss is divided into two categories:
SENSORINEURAL
It occurs from the moment when the sound does not reach the internal auditory system. It can be a consequence of excess earwax (earwax), middle ear infections, eardrum injuries, or Otosclerosis (abnormal growth in the ear bones, which ends up immobilizing the stapes and leading to deafness).
CONDUCTIVE
In this type, the cause is in the auditory nerve failure. Sound waves reach the inner ear; however, the nerve does not transform the received vibrations into electrical signals to the brain as a result of damage suffered.
UNDERSTAND THE MAIN CAUSES OF HEARING PROBLEMS
The reasons for the appearance of hearing problems are diverse and can start from illnesses or daily habits. Check out the most common causes of hearing loss:
NOISE POLLUTION
It is a major cause of hearing problems. The longer the exposure time, the greater the possibility of permanent loss of hearing ability. Environments where noise is part of everyday life (factories, buildings, and steelworks), can damage the hearing aid.
AGING
Another significant cause of hearing loss is aging, due to degenerative changes. This age-related loss is called Presbycusis. It compromises the temporal bone, the auditory pathways, and the cerebral cortex. Aging also affects the posterior labyrinth.
HEREDITY
Genetic mutations inherited from parents by their children can cause congenital hearing loss. Its symptoms can be diagnosed in the first few months or years of the life of the little ones. The diagnosis is based on audiometric tests, evaluating the patient’s family history and molecular genetic analysis.
EXPOSURE TO EXPLOSIVE NOISE
Very loud noise, such as an explosive or gunshot, can cause acoustic trauma. This trauma is a sudden hearing loss due to loudness. Continuous exposure to loud noises can also cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY HEARING LOSS
To help check whether you or any of your family members have this problem, note the following situations:
- watch television with loud sound: people with hearing problems listen to television at a higher volume than normal. When they watch in the company of other people, it is common for them to ask to increase the volume;
- not listening to the phone or the doorbell ringing;
- confusing lines with whispers: having the feeling that other people are whispering may be a sign of a hearing problem;
- having difficulty hearing in specific environments: generally, very noisy places make our hearing difficult. However, if the person is unable to hear the entire speech in these situations, it is advisable to have an ear test.
The treatment options for hearing problems are several:
- Removal of the earwax
- Treatment of acute infections
- Tympanoplasty (reconstruction of the perforated eardrum)
- Use of hearing aid
- Implants
However, avoid self-medication. The decision must be made by the specialist doctor who, based on exams and diagnoses, will determine the severity of the problem and indicate the best treatments for hearing loss.
