Hearing loss treatment
Treating hearing loss depends on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Here's a breakdown of the most common treatment options:
1. Medically Treatable
Earwax buildup: Earwax impaction can cause a temporary “conductive” type of hearing loss and sometimes it can also cause temporary tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Removal by an audiologist, physician or nurse practitioner is recommended.
Methods of earwax removal include: irrigation, suction, or curettage.
Ear Infections: Antibiotics or antifungal medications; sometimes minor surgery if infections are chronic.
Middle ear diseases: Surgical procedures or pressure equalization (PE) tubes for fluid drainage.
2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (Usually Permanent)
This is the most common type—damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve. Treatment focuses on managing the loss:
Hearing Aids
Amplify sounds; best for mild to moderate loss.
Customized and programmed to match your hearing levels using real ear verification measures for proper fitting.
Cochlear Implants
For severe to profound hearing loss when hearing aids aren't enough.
Surgically implanted device that bypasses damaged hair cells in the cochlea and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.
Assistive Listening Devices
Amplified phones, TV headsets, personal amplifiers, and FM systems
Great for specific environments (like classrooms or theaters)
Speech and Auditory Training
Helps retrain the brain to interpret sounds, especially useful after cochlear implantation or long-term untreated loss
3. Genetic or Congenital Hearing Loss
Often addressed with early intervention (like cochlear implants in infants)
Support includes speech-language therapy, sign language, or a bilingual approach (spoken + sign language)
4. Other Treatments
Steroids: Sometimes used in cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) if caught early.
Bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHA): For conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness.
Auditory brainstem implants (ABI): In rare cases of nerve absence or damage.
Early Intervention Matters
The sooner hearing loss is addressed, the better the outcomes for communication, mental health, and brain health. Untreated hearing loss can worsen over time and impact quality of life significantly.