Hearing Loss - SP Medifort Hospital

Hearing Loss Treatment

Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Causes and Treatment

Hearing loss that develops gradually with age, known as presbycusis, is very common. It usually happens slowly over time and may not be noticeable at first. In fact, more than half of the people in the United States over the age of 75 experience some degree of age-related hearing loss.

At SP Medifort Hospital, recognized as the best hospital for hearing loss treatment, patients receive comprehensive evaluation and advanced care from experienced ENT specialists and audiologists. Using modern diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans, the hospital offers effective and affordable hearing loss treatment, including non-surgical management, hearing rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up care. With a strong focus on early diagnosis and patient-centered care, SP Medifort Hospital is trusted for providing the best hearing loss treatment in South India, helping patients improve communication, hearing ability, and overall quality of life.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of Hearing Loss?

Symptoms of hearing loss may include:

Muffled speech and sounds.
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Turning up the TV or radio volume.
Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds.
Avoiding social situations due to hearing difficulties.
Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
Frequently asking people to repeat what they say.

What are the different types of hearing loss?

Most hearing loss falls into these categories:

Conductive Hearing Loss: A problem in the outer or middle ear that blocks sound (e.g., earwax buildup, infections, fluid).
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL): Damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve—the most common type, especially with aging and noise exposure.
Mixed Hearing Loss: Combination of conductive and sensorineural components.

What causes hearing loss?

Causes of hearing loss include:

Buildup of earwax: Earwax naturally protects the ear, but when too much builds up, it can block the ear canal and prevent sound from traveling normally. In many cases, safely removing the earwax can restore hearing.
Ruptured eardrum: A torn or perforated eardrum can result from loud explosions, sudden pressure changes, infections, or inserting objects into the ear. When the eardrum is damaged, it cannot vibrate properly, making sounds harder to hear.
Damage to the inner ear: Damage to the inner ear can happen as we get older or after long-term exposure to loud noises. The tiny hair cells and nerve cells in the inner ear help send sound signals to the brain. When these cells become damaged, hearing gradually weakens. High-pitched sounds may seem unclear, and it can be harder to understand speech, especially in noisy environments.
Ear infections, bone changes, or tumors: Problems in the outer or middle ear, such as repeated infections, abnormal bone growth, or tumors, can interfere with how sound moves through the ear, leading to hearing loss.

Diagnosis of Hearing Loss

To find the cause and extent of hearing loss, health care providers may use several simple and specialized tests:

Physical exam: A doctor looks inside the ear to check for common problems such as earwax buildup, infection, or changes in the ear’s structure that could affect hearing.
Screening tests: One common method is the whisper test, where one ear is covered at a time, and you listen for spoken words at different volumes. This helps assess how well you hear everyday sounds.
App-based hearing tests: Some mobile apps allow you to do a basic hearing check at home using a phone or tablet. These tests can help identify possible hearing issue,s but do not replace a professional exam.
Tuning fork tests: Tuning forks are metal tools that produce sound when struck. Simple tuning fork tests can help determine if hearing loss is present and whether it affects the inner or outer parts of the ear.
Audiometer tests: These detailed tests are performed by an audiologist. You wear headphones and listen to tones and spoken words at different volumes and pitches. The results show the softest sounds you can hear and help pinpoint the type and level of hearing loss.

What are the hearing loss risk factors?

Several factors can damage or weaken the tiny hair cells and nerve cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. These changes often happen gradually, but sometimes they can occur suddenly:

Genetics: Some people are more prone to hearing loss because of their genes, which can make the ears more sensitive to aging or noise damage.
Work-related noise: Jobs with constant loud noise, such as construction, farming, or factory work, can slowly damage hearing if proper protection is not used.
Recreational Noise: Loud activities during leisure time, such as using firearms, riding motorcycles or snowmobiles, doing carpentry, or listening to music at high volumes, can cause lasting hearing damage.
Loud noise exposure: Being around loud sounds can harm the inner ear. This damage may build up after years of noise exposure or happen instantly from a sudden, intense sound like a gunshot.
Aging: As part of the natural aging process, the delicate structures in the inner ear slowly wear down, making hearing less sharp over time.
Certain medications: Some medicines, including specific antibiotics, cancer treatments, and drugs like sildenafil, can affect the inner ear. Very high doses of aspirin and some other pain relievers may also cause temporary hearing loss or ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.
Illnesses: Serious infections or illnesses, such as meningitis accompanied by high fever, can damage the cochlea and lead to hearing loss.

What treatment options are available for hearing loss?

Hearing problems can often be treated, and effective help is available for most people. The best hearing loss treatment depends on the underlying cause, the type of hearing loss, and how severe it is. At a specialized ENT or hearing care center, doctors and audiologists provide personalized hearing loss treatment options to restore or improve hearing and quality of life.

Removing Earwax: A buildup of earwax is one of the most common and easily treatable causes of hearing loss. Earwax removal for hearing loss is performed safely by a healthcare provider using gentle suction or specialized instruments. In many cases, hearing improves immediately after professional ear cleaning, making this a simple and effective treatment option.

Hearing Aids: When hearing loss is due to damage in the inner ear, hearing aids can make a big difference. An audiologist can help you choose the right type of hearing aid and make sure it fits comfortably and works well for your needs. Hearing aids are widely used for age related hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss treatment.

Cochlear Implants: If hearing aids are not effective, a cochlear implant may be an option. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulate the hearing nerve, helping improve sound perception. For individuals with severe or profound hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implant treatment may be recommended

Surgery: Certain types of hearing loss can be improved with surgery. For example, if repeated ear infections cause fluid to build up in the ear, small tubes may be placed to help the ears drain properly and improve hearing.