The human body has some fantastic and surprising abilities. Scratches, cuts, and broken bones are generally no problem for the human body to repair (with a little time, your body can heal the giant bones in your arms and legs).
But you won’t be so lucky if the tiny hairs in your ears are damaged. At least, so far.
It’s really unfortunate that your body can accomplish such fantastic feats of healing but can’t regenerate these tiny hairs. What’s happening there?
When is Hearing Impairment Permanent?
So, let’s get right down to it. You’re waiting in your doctor’s office and you’re taking in the news: you’re losing your hearing. So you ask your doctor if your hearing will ever return. And the answer is… it depends.
Dramatically speaking, it’s a bit anticlimactic.
But he isn’t wrong. There are two general forms of hearing loss:
- Damage related hearing loss: But there’s another, more prevalent form of hearing loss. This kind of hearing loss, called sensorineural hearing loss, is permanent. Here’s what happens: inside of your ear, there are little hairs that vibrate when struck by sound waves. Your brain is good at changing these vibrations into the sounds you hear. But loud noises can cause harm to the hairs and, over time, diminish your hearing to the point where you require treatment.
- Hearing impairment caused by an obstruction: When there’s something blocking your ear canal, you can show all the indications of hearing loss. This obstruction can be caused by a number of things, from the gross (ear wax) to the downright scary (tumors). Your hearing will return to normal, thankfully, when the blockage is removed.
So here’s the main point: you can recover from one form of hearing loss and you probably won’t know which one you have without having a hearing test.
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 right treatment may help you:
- Preserve a high quality of life.
- Counter cognitive decline.
- Successfully cope with any of the symptoms of hearing loss you may be experiencing.
- Safeguard and maintain your remaining hearing.
- Prevent isolation by remaining socially involved.
This treatment can take many forms, and it’ll normally depend on how severe your hearing loss is. One of the most common treatments is rather simple: hearing aids.
Why is Hearing Loss Successfully Managed With Hearing AIds?
Hearing aids can help you return to the people and things you enjoy. They can help you hear the conversation, the phone, your television, or even just the birds in the park. Hearing aids can also remove some of the pressure from your brain because you will no longer be struggling to hear.
Prevention is The Best Protection
Loud sounds and other things that would damage your hearing should be avoided and your ears should be protected against them. Hearing well is essential to your overall health and well-being. Having routine hearing exams is the best way to be certain that you are safeguarding your hearing.
