The human body has some fantastic and surprising abilities. The human body usually has no difficulty mending cuts, scrapes, or broken bones (I mean, sure, it takes some time, but your body can literally heal the huge bones in your arms and legs with little more than a splint and some time).
But you won’t be so lucky if the delicate hairs in your ears are compromised. At least, so far.
It’s truly regrettable that your body can accomplish such great feats of healing but can’t restore these little hairs. So what’s the deal?
When is Hearing Impairment Permanent?
So let’s take a closer look. You’re at your doctor’s office trying to process the news he’s giving you: you’re losing your hearing. So the first question you ask is whether the hearing will ever return. And the answer is… maybe.
Dramatically speaking, it’s a little anticlimactic.
But he’s not wrong. There are two general types of hearing loss:
- Damage related hearing loss: But there’s another, more common form of hearing loss. Known medically as sensorineural hearing loss, this form of hearing loss is effectively irreversible. Here’s what happens: inside of your ear, there are little hairs that vibrate when moved by sound waves. Your brain is good at changing these vibrations into the sounds you hear. But over time, loud noises can cause these hairs to be damaged to the point where treatment is needed.
- Hearing impairment caused by an obstruction: You can exhibit every indicator of hearing loss when your ear has some kind of blockage. A wide range of things, from something gross (earwax) to something frightening (a tumor), can be the cause of this obstruction. Your hearing will return to normal, luckily, when the obstruction is cleared away.
So here’s the main point: you can recover from one type of hearing loss and you probably won’t know which one you’re coping with without getting a hearing test.
Treating Hearing Loss
Scientists haven’t discovered a “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss but they’re working on it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find treatment for your hearing loss. As a matter of fact, getting the correct treatment for your hearing loss may help you:
- Successfully manage hearing loss symptoms you might already have.
- Stay active socially, keeping isolation at bay.
- Ensure your general quality of life is unaffected or stays high.
- Help stave off mental decline.
- Safeguard and maintain your remaining hearing.
This treatment can take various forms, and it’ll usually depend on how severe your hearing loss is. One of the most common treatments is rather simple: hearing aids.
Why is Hearing Loss Successfully Treated With Hearing AIds?
You can get back to the people and things you love with the help of hearing aids. They can help you hear the discussions, your phone, your tv, or even just the sounds of nature. You will no longer be struggling to hear so pressure will be removed from your brain.
The Best Protection is Prevention
Loud sounds and other things that would harm your hearing should be avoided and your ears should be protected against them. Hearing well is essential to your general health and well-being. Having regular hearing exams is the best way to be certain that you are protecting your hearing.