The human body is a wonderful, breathtaking, perplexing, confounding construction, isn’t it? The human body usually has no difficulty repairing cuts, scratches, or broken bones (with a bit of time, your body can heal the huge bones in your arms and legs).
But when it comes to repairing the delicate little hairs in your ear, you’re out of luck. At least, so far.
It doesn’t seem quite fair when you can recover from significant bone injuries but you have problems repairing tiny hairs in your ear. What’s going on there?
When is Hearing Loss Permanent?
So, let’s get right down to it. You’re at your doctor’s office attempting 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 come back. And the answer is… it depends.
Dramatically speaking, it’s a little anticlimactic.
But it’s also a fact. Hearing loss comes in two basic forms:
- Obstruction induced hearing loss: When there’s something blocking your ear canal, you can exhibit all the indications of hearing loss. A wide variety of things, from something gross (earwax) to something frightening (a tumor), can be the cause of this blockage. The good news is that once the obstruction is cleared, your hearing usually goes back to normal.
- Damage induced hearing loss: But there’s another, more prevalent type of hearing loss. Known scientifically as sensorineural hearing loss, this form of hearing loss is effectively permanent. Here’s what happens: In your ear, there are tiny hairs that vibrate when struck by sound waves. When vibrations are converted into signals, they are sent to the brain which renders them into the sounds you perceive. But over time, loud sounds can cause these hairs to be damaged to the point where treatment is needed.
So the bottom line is this: there’s one type of hearing loss you can recuperate from, and you may need to get tested to see which one you have.
Hearing Loss Treatment
Scientists haven’t found a “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss but they’re working on it. But your hearing loss still may be treatable. Here are some ways that the correct treatment may help you:
- Preserve a high quality of life.
- Remain active socially, keeping isolation at bay.
- Safeguard and maintain your remaining hearing.
- Successfully manage hearing loss symptoms you might already have.
- Reduce mental decline.
This treatment can take various forms, and it’ll usually depend on how significant your hearing loss is. One of the most common treatments is pretty simple: hearing aids.
Why is Hearing Loss Successfully Treated With Hearing AIds?
You can return to the things and people you love with the help of hearing aids. They can help you hear the conversation, your phone, your tv, or even just the sounds of nature. Hearing aids can also take some of the pressure off of your brain because you won’t be straining to hear.
The Best Protection is Prevention
Loud noises and other things that would damage your hearing should be avoided and your ears should be safeguarded against them. Your general health and well being depend on strong hearing. Routine hearing care, such as annual hearing tests, is just another type of self-care.