HOW HOGLUND FAMILY HEARING CAN HELP WITH SUDDEN HEARING LOSS
Have you experienced sudden hearing loss or deafness? You could have sensorineural hearing loss, which accounts for roughly 90% of the patients with hearing loss we see at Hoglund Family Hearing. Your ear is made up of three main components: the outer, middle, and inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually the result of damage to your inner ear or the nerve pathways leading from your inner ear to your brain. This type of inner ear hearing loss can range from mild to severe, and it may affect one ear or both ears.
If you suspect you may have sensorineural hearing loss in the Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, or Estero, FL area, please schedule an appointment at one of our Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Centers for an accurate diagnosis from one of our experienced audiologists.
WHAT USUALLY CAUSES SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS?
Common causes for sensorineural hearing loss include aging, overexposure to loud noises, ototoxic medications, viral infections, circulatory disturbances, and many other illnesses like Meniere’s disease. Some individuals with sensorineural hearing loss develop it after being exposed to the radiation used in chemotherapy. It may be caused by exposure to a loud explosion or a traumatic blow to the head. Also called nerve deafness, sensorineural hearing loss is also caused by damage to the tiny hair cells found inside your inner ear’s cochlea. Those tiny hair cells help transmit sound from your inner ear to the brain. It’s normal to see some wear-and-tear to these cells with aging, which often results in gradual hearing loss over time.
RECOGNIZING THE SYMPTOMS OF SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
Do you find yourself having trouble following conversations in a noisy setting, especially when women or children with higher-pitched voices may be speaking? Do you no longer notice the birds singing or the clock ticking? Loud or soft sounds may be difficult to hear for those with sensorineural hearing loss. An individual with inner hearing loss may have trouble distinguishing between different sounds and speech signals. They may also notice a reduced sensitivity to noises or an altered perception of sound levels.
CAN SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS BE TREATED OR REVERSED?
Unfortunately, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and cannot be reversed. Some patients may have their hearing partially restored with a cochlear implant, although the most common treatment for this type of hearing loss is the usage of a hearing aid. This type of hearing loss may be progressive, or it could manifest itself in sudden deafness. However, it almost always results in hitting a plateau, at which point the amount of hearing loss will remain stable.
REQUEST A FREE HEARING ASSESSMENT AT HOGLUND FAMILY HEARING
Inner ear hearing loss should always be evaluated and treated by a qualified professional. If you suspect you have sensorineural hearing loss in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero, or a surrounding area in Florida, please call Hoglund Family Hearing to set up a free hearing assessment. While there isn’t a cure for sensorineural hearing loss, being fitted for a custom hearing aid in one of our clinics can improve your hearing and outlook on life. Get started on the path to better hearing today with our help!
