Acquired Hearing Loss - An Overview

Acquired hearing loss is the hearing loss that occurs after birth and can happen at any point of time in one’s life. Acquired hearing loss can appear suddenly, after having previous normal hearing because of illness, injury or toxic medications. Sudden hearing loss can be very challenging for children as it can greatly affect their learning and development. Child can also experience depression, fearfulness and show behavioural changes. Hearing loss affects the quality of life of adults as well. Unmanaged hearing loss can have an overall impact on education, employment and general well-being of the individual.

The most common causes of acquired hearing loss are:

1. Ear infection (otitis media).
2. Eardrum perforation caused by untreated ear infection, head injury or blow to the ear.
3. Middle ear blockage usually due to accumulation of wax.
4. Illnesses and infections such as Meningitis, Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Influenza, etc.
5. Prolonged exposure to noise.
6. Head injury.
7. Certain drugs and medications.
8. Cysts and tumours within the ear canal.
9. Aging.

Types

Ear is divided into three parts outer, middle and inner. 

• Hearing loss associated with outer and middle is termed as conductive hearing loss. 
• Hearing loss concerned with inner ear is termed as sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss may be permanent in nature. 
• Mixed hearing loss: Some people have both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Hearing loss symptoms
In case of sudden hearing loss, the ability to hear will decrease or disappear (completely) at once, from the affected ear. In case of gradual hearing loss, at first the person may have difficulty in understanding conversation, due to which may ask others to repeat frequently or may also misunderstand the conversation. Due to decreased ability to hear, person’s family may complain about loud TV or music.

Hearing loss due to certain ailments and conditions can also produce additional symptoms, which include:

1. Tinnitus(ringing in ears)
2. Deep earache
3. Discharge or bleeding(from ear)
4. Stuffiness inside ear
5. Dizziness
6. Nausea

Treatment and prevention
After proper diagnosis, that is identifying the type and measuring the degree of hearing loss, various treatment options are suggested to patients to improve their hearing ability. In case of temporary hearing loss, the underlying cause of hearing loss has to be treated first e.g., in case of infection, antibiotics are recommended. For blockage with earwax, earwax has to be removed. In case of permanent hearing loss treatment options available are:

1. Hearing aids: It is the easiest and most commonly offered treatment option for hearing loss and proved to be highly effective in age related deafness. These are electronic instruments that can be worn inside or behind the ear. Hearing aids amplify the sounds and thus improve deafness. Usually it takes some time to get used to hearing aid as things might sound little different initially.
2. Cochlear implants: In case of severe hearing loss  surgical intervention is required in which a cochlear implant is placed in the inner ear that will help converting the perceived sounds into electrical signals which can then be transmitted to brain and thus sound sensations are perceived. Cochlear implant can be recommended in one or both ears depending upon the severity.
3. Assistive listening devices (ALDs): ALDs are sound amplifying devices in cell phones, telephones and can be implemented in places like theatres and auditoriums.
4. Speech reading: People dealing with hearing loss can be trained for this in which they need to pay close attention and watch how the speaker’s lips and body are moving. This will help understand conversation little easily.

Hearing loss can affect the person at personal and professional levels, disturbs the emotional well being of person and thus has an overall negative impact on general well being of individual. By taking the below mentioned precautions, hearing loss can be prevented:

1. Protection from prolonged loud noise.
2. Never put any foreign objects inside ears.
3. Protection from head trauma. Wearing helmets and seat belts while driving.
4. Consult the doctor before taking any serious medications.