Hearing loss treatments

Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions facing Americans today. The right treatment depends on a number of factors, such as severity of hearing loss, the underlying cause, type of hearing loss and your lifestyle.

If you have trouble hearing, the first step is getting a hearing test and a thorough evaluation from a hearing care professional.

Why treat hearing loss?

In children, untreated hearing loss negatively impacts language development, learning, and social engagement. In adults, hearing loss makes communication a challenge, severely impacting quality of life.

In fact, for people entering their retirement years, untreated hearing loss has been linked to several physical and psychological issues, ranging from cognitive decline and depression to an increased risk of trips and falls.

The upshot? Hearing aids have health benefits beyond just helping you hear better. 

The most common type of hearing loss is presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss. As we get older, the hair cells in our ears stop functioning as well as they used to and eventually stop working altogether. Nearly half of all people 75 or older have hearing loss. 

Age-related hearing loss is a type of sensorineural hearing loss, meaning it originates in the inner ear and/or auditory nerve and is generally caused by damage to the inner ear hair cells. Along with aging, loud noise exposure is another big risk factor for this type of hearing loss. While it's more common in older adults, anyone can develop this type of hearing loss, particularly if they have a noisy occupation.

Treatments for sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent; hair cells can't be repaired once they're damaged. For people with type of hearing loss, hearing aids are the gold standard treatment. In some cases, cochlear implants may be recommended.

Hearing aids

If your hearing care professional recommends hearing aids, they will work with you to calibrate them to your specific hearing loss, during a process known as fitting. Hearing aids do not cure or restore hearing. The basic purpose of a hearing aid is to amplify sound in the specific ranges you need. Today's hearing aids can be highly customized to your hearing needs—amplifying the sounds you need to hear while minimizing those you don't. While they can't exactly mimic normal hearing, they work very well for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Pediatric hearing aids have special features for kids.

Hearing aids can be worn behind the ear or in the ear depending on the degree of hearing loss and personal preference. There are many types and styles. And yes, if you have hearing loss in both ears, two hearing aids are far better than one. 

Cochlear implants

For some people, hearing aids do not provide enough amplification and cochlear implants will be the recommended treatment. Implants require surgery, but they can be an excellent option for people who aren't helped enough by hearing aids. Children, adults and older adults are all potential candidates for cochlear implants. Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants are generally covered by insurance programs.

Treatment for conductive hearing loss

The other main type of hearing loss is known as conductive hearing loss. It's generally caused by a condition in the outer or middle inner and is usually temporary. Conductive hearing loss can be the result of earwax build-up in the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear or a perforated eardrum.

Surgical treatments for hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss treatment options usually involve medical intervention from an ear-nose-throat specialist to address the specific cause. It usually means that something anatomical is preventing sound from reaching the inner ear, such as otosclerosis. In some cases, surgery might help, particularly if you have a bone or anatomical problem.

In the event medical treatment does not clear up the hearing loss, or the hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive, a hearing healthcare professional will investigate other options, such as hearing aids, or surgical implantation of a bone-anchored hearing system, which works differently than a cochlear implant.

Auditory training and rehab

Whether you are prescribed hearing aids or cochlear implants or another device, auditory training or rehab can help the brain relearn how to process noise into sound. Sometimes these exercises can be completed entirely at home, while others are more intensive, similar to visiting a physical or occupational therapist. But even listening to audiobooks or using smartphone apps to sharpen hearing can be helpful and reduce symptoms like listening fatigue. Also, while not a treatment per se, learning to speechread can help augment the communication skills you have, making living with hearing loss less frustrating.

Treatments for sudden hearing loss

Sudden hearing loss in one ear should always be treated quickly and requires medication. If you've suddenly lost your hearing, contact your medical provider ASAP as prompt treatment reduces your chances of permanent hearing loss.

Treatments for hidden hearing loss

People who have normal hearing test results but still have difficult hearing likely have a type of hearing loss known as hidden hearing loss. In some cases, people with hidden hearing loss do benefit from wearing hearing aids, particularly to help with speech in noise struggles.

Assistive listening devices

Hearing aids and cochlear implants are a big help, but sometimes they cannot address the very specific needs of every person. In these situations, there are countless accessories and assistive listening devices that can bridge communication gaps. Assistive listening devices (ALDs) can improve your experience while watching television, listening to music or talking on the phone. These include captioned phones, amplified phones, FM systems, TV hearing devices, smartphone apps, and hearing loops that connect with hearing aid telecoils. 

Room acoustics matter, too

Yep, your home's acoustics may be bad for your hearing. A few small changes to your home's decor and learning communication tips for public settings can improve your levels of daily frustrations linked to hearing loss.

Even if you wear hearing aids, things like restaurant background noise are challenging.

What if I also have tinnitus?

It's not unusual to experience tinnitus when you start to develop hearing loss as you get older. In fact, it can be one of the first signs of hearing loss. Fortunately, today's hearing aids often come with what are known as "tinnitus masking features" to help tune out the ringing in your ears. A host of other tinnitus treatment tools are available to you, as well. It's crucial to talk to your hearing care provider about your tinnitus.

If you're a veteran

Hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the top health issues affecting both active military and veterans. In fact, the number one employer of audiologists in the U.S. is the Veterans Administration. If you served in the military, the VA provides hearing care for those who qualify.

How to get help

Hearing loss is all too common, but there has never been a better time to seek treatment with today's amazing technology and medical options available. If you need help with your hearing, our directory of consumer-reviewed hearing clinics is a good next step.