Three Common Causes Of Hearing Loss And Treatment Options

When you suffer with hearing loss, it can decrease your quality of life. The worse the hearing loss, the more debilitating it can be. Hearing loss is especially difficult if you are a very social person and have a hard time hearing what others are saying. Hearing loss can also be dangerous, especially if you have a hard time hearing things like sirens and fire alarms informing you to take immediate action. If you are suffering with hearing loss, here are three common causes and treatment options available. 

Being Exposed to Loud Noise

Often referred to as noise-induced hearing loss, this type of hearing loss is the most common and usually occurs when you are repeatedly exposed to loud noise. According to the Better Hearing Institute, noise has caused irreversible hearing loss in 10 million Americans. Some of the most common noises that cause noise-induced hearing loss include:

  • Rock concerts
  • Ambulance sirens
  • Power mowers
  • Motorcycles
  • Jackhammers

Noise-induced hearing loss usually happens gradually, and you might not notice it until it gets really bad.

Taking Certain Medications

Most medications have some negative side effects, and unfortunately hearing loss is one of them, especially when it comes to certain kinds of drugs called ototoxic medications. Instead of gradual hearing loss, these types of medications can cause a sudden onset. With some medications, the hearing can return back to normal once the medication is discontinued, however other types can cause permanent damage. Some of the most common types of medications that cause hearing loss include:

  • Large doses of aspirin, especially when taken daily
  • NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
  • Certain diuretics such as Lasix

If you take two of these medications at the same time, you could be increasing your chances of hearing loss.

Getting Frequent Ear Infections of the Middle Ear

A common cause of hearing loss in children is the onset of frequent ear infections of the middle ear, which is also called otitis media. Children will usually have a temporary loss of hearing when they have a case of otitis media, however, if the ear infections are frequent and are left untreated, it could cause permanent hearing loss.

Treatment Options for Hearing Loss

Most types of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids. The two types of hearing aids include ones that fit right inside the ear canal and also ones that go behind the ear. Besides hearing aids, other types of treatment options include cochlear implants and the use of assistive listening devices.

For more information, contact a clinic such as Jacobs Clinical Diagnostics.


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