The human body has some amazing and surprising abilities. Scrapes, cuts, and broken bones are generally no problem for the human body to mend (with a little time, your body can restore the huge bones in your arms and legs).
But when it comes to restoring the tiny little hairs in your ear, you’re out of luck. For now at least.
It doesn’t seem exactly fair when you can heal from considerable bone injuries but you can’t heal tiny hairs in your ear. So what’s the deal?
When is Hearing Loss Permanent?
So let’s have 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 return. And the answer is… maybe.
Dramatically speaking, it’s a bit anticlimactic.
But he’s not wrong. Hearing loss comes in two basic forms:
- Hearing loss due to damage: But hearing loss has another more common form. Known scientifically as sensorineural hearing loss, this form of hearing loss is effectively permanent. Here’s what happens: there are little hairs in your ear that vibrate when struck by moving air (sound waves). When vibrations are transformed into signals, they are transmitted to the brain which makes them into the sounds you perceive. But over time, loud sounds can cause these hairs to be damaged to the point where treatment is required.
- Hearing loss caused by an obstruction: When there’s something blocking your ear canal, you can present all the indications of hearing loss. A wide range of things, from something gross (earwax) to something frightening (a tumor), can be the cause of this blockage. Fortunately, once the blockage is removed, your hearing often returns to normal.
So the bottom line is this: you can recover from one form of hearing loss and you probably won’t know which one you’re coping with without having a hearing test.
Treating Hearing Loss
So presently there’s no “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss (though scientists are working on that). But that’s not to say you can’t get treatment for your hearing loss. Here are some ways that the correct treatment might help you:
- Cope successfully with any of the symptoms of hearing loss you may be enduring.
- Maintain a high quality of life.
- Remain engaged socially, keeping isolation away.
- Help fend off cognitive decline.
- Protect and maintain your remaining hearing.
This treatment can take many forms, and it’ll normally depend on how significant your hearing loss is. One of the most prevalent treatments is pretty simple: hearing aids.
Why Are Hearing Aids a Practical Treatment For Hearing Loss?
You can return to the things and people you enjoy with the help of hearing aids. They can help you hear the discussions, the phone, your television, or even just the sounds of nature. You will no longer be straining to hear so pressure will be removed from your brain.
The Best Protection is Prevention
Loud noises and other things that would harm your hearing should be avoided and your ears should be protected against them. Hearing well is essential to your general health and well-being. Having routine hearing exams is the best way to be sure that you are protecting your hearing.