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Hearing loss occurs when there is a total or partial inability to hear sound in one or both ears. It is a common problem caused by aging, noise exposure, disease, excess ear wax, heredity, or trauma.
When children experience hearing loss, it is very important to diagnose and treat this as early as possible, which can help limit the potential impact on learning and development. Adults with hearing loss may experience difficulty with their employment, education, and overall well-being.
If you have a sudden loss of hearing, especially in one ear, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for treatment.
Treatment for deafness will depend on your diagnosis.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
The most common symptoms include hearing sounds as muffled and difficulty hearing consonants. Other symptoms include having trouble hearing words (especially in crowded areas with background noise), feeling less inclined to converse, and asking people to speak more loudly.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Deafness may occur due to an ear infection in the middle or outer ear or tumor growth. Another reason could be earwax buildup.
Other cases are caused by a ruptured eardrum, sudden pressure changes, eardrum infections, or loud noise. Aging or loud noise may damage the cochlea’s nerve cells or hairs, making sending electrical signals to the brain difficult.
Aside from loud noise and aging, other risk factors include occupational and recreational noises, certain medications, medical conditions, and heredity.
Diagnosing Hearing Loss
To diagnose the severity of your hearing disorder, you will undergo a physical exam to check for an ear infection, earwax buildup, or structural issues. You will also need to complete general screening tests, audiometer tests, and tuning fork tests.
Hearing impairment treatment and its cost depends on your diagnosis. Potential treatments include surgery, earwax removal, cochlear implants, changing medications, antibiotics, hearing aid, or wearing sound-enhancing technologies. Your doctor will discuss these options and what is ideal for your situation.
How Much Does a Hearing Loss Treatment Costs?
The cost of a treatment will depend on several factors. The price can be affected by body type, type of technique performed, surgical complications, and even allergies. Find out more by scheduling a consultation.
Do you want to treat your hearing disorder in San Diego before it worsens? Set up a consultation with ENT Associates of San Diego today and address that hearing problem!