The human body has some fantastic and remarkable abilities. The human body usually has no issue healing cuts, scratches, or broken bones (with a bit of time, your body can heal the huge bones in your legs and arms).
But you won’t be so fortunate if the fragile hairs in your ears are compromised. For now at least.
It doesn’t seem quite fair when you can heal from major bone injuries but you have problems repairing tiny hairs in your ear. So what’s the deal?
When is Hearing Loss Permanent?
So let’s take a closer look. You’re at your doctor’s office attempting to process the news he’s giving you: you have hearing loss. So you ask your doctor if your hearing will ever come back. And he informs you that it may or may not.
It’s a little anticlimactic, speaking dramatically.
But it’s also a fact. There are two primary types of hearing loss:
- Damage related hearing loss: But hearing loss has another more common form. This form of hearing loss, called sensorineural hearing loss, is permanent. Here’s what happens: there are fragile hairs in your ear that vibrate when struck by moving air (sound waves). When vibrations are converted into signals, they are sent to the brain which makes them into the sounds you perceive. But over time, loud noises can cause these hairs to be damaged to the point where treatment is required.
- Hearing impairment caused by an obstruction: You can show every sign of hearing loss when your ear has some type of obstruction. This blockage can be caused by a wide variety of things, from the gross (ear wax) to the downright frightening (tumors). Fortunately, once the obstruction is removed, your hearing often returns to normal.
So here’s the main point: you can recover from one form of hearing loss and you most likely won’t know which one you’re coping with without having a hearing exam.
Hearing Loss Treatment
So currently there’s no “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss (though scientists are working on it). But your hearing loss still might be treatable. Here are some ways that the proper treatment might help you:
- Safeguard and maintain your remaining hearing.
- Avoid isolation by staying socially active.
- Maintain a high quality of life.
- Successfully manage hearing loss symptoms you might already have.
- Counter mental decline.
This treatment can take many forms, and it’ll usually depend on how severe your hearing loss is. Hearing aids are one of the easiest and most prevalent treatment options.
Why Are Hearing Aids a Smart Treatment For Hearing Impairment?
Hearing aids can help you return to the people and things you enjoy. With the help of hearing aids, you can start to hear conversations, your tv, your phone, and sounds of nature once more. You will no longer be struggling to hear so pressure will be removed from your brain.
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 overall health and well being depend on good hearing. Having regular hearing exams is the best way to be sure that you are safeguarding your hearing.