Treatment & Research | Step 1
Introduction
Treatment for hearing loss is determined by the nature of the hearing loss (reversible vs. irreversible). Medical treatment may be warranted for certain ear related pathologies. Various conductive hearing losses may be corrected and alleviated with medications and/or surgical procedures. The hearing healthcare provider who examined your ear and hearing is responsible for referring you to the appropriate medical professional if a medical evaluation/treatment is warranted. Otherwise, hearing aids or other assistive listening devices may be recommended by the healthcare provider.
Although many people may attribute their hearing problems to aging, appropriate sets to seek help are important. If left untreated, hearing loss often is a contributing factor in low self-esteem, depression, loneliness, and loss of one's independence.
Treatment for Reversible Hearing Loss
The type of treatment for reversible hearing loss depends on the cause of the loss. Whether it is antibiotics for an ear infection or surgery for a middle ear disorder, reversible treatments are often facilitated by a physician. Due to the wide variety of causes of hearing loss, HearingAidDocsTM recommends that you see a physician for treatment if you are diagnosed with a reversible hearing loss. However, you may visit a qualified audiologists and other qualified healthcare providers and they may be able to treat your hearing problems by remove earwax.
Treatment for Irreversible (Permanent) Hearing Loss
If medical treatment is not an option, hearing aids may be recommended. After your hearing evaluation, the provider may recommend a hearing device such as a hearing aid or an assistive listening device. Be a critical consumer! Although hearing aids are considered a medical device, the industry has many providers that offer hearing aid discounts and specials that are often misleading. So do your research: check for pricing, trustworthiness, provider credentials, programming packages, etc. Click here for more information on hearing aids!
Rarely, if a person is receiving little to no benefit from hearing aids due to the severe and profound nature of their hearing loss, a cochlear implant may be an option to provide sound. These individuals are typically considered legally deaf. Certain strict criteria delegate candidacy for cochlear implants. Because the device is surgically implanted, the rewards are accompanied by risks. If you are having extreme difficulty hearing or understanding any speech, you may discuss this option with an audiologist or Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician if you have any further questions.
Research
Research is the backbone of our profession. Due to the advancements in hearing sciences, we expect the hearing aid manufacturers to introduce a revolutionary technology to come out approximately every 3-5 years. For example, open fit technologies came out about 5 years ago, and a couple years ago, hearing aids have incorporated Bluetooth technology. The Hearing Aid Doctors are always advancing our knowledge in hearing loss and treating hearing loss by keeping up with the latest technology in hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Through continuing education seminars and events in addition to medical and audiologic peer-reviewed journals, we strive to provide you with accurate and non-biased information on hearing loss and hearing aids. We will often post research articles and reviews of articles on our site. Keep an eye out for them!
