Ear problems come in many forms, and depending on the cause and severity of the issue, treatment may be medical or surgical in order to restore the patient’s hearing. It’s important to understand that these problems can occur in the inner ear, outer ear, middle ear, or even the auditory nerve.
Depending on age, we face different situations that can affect our hearing, notes Dr. René Toral Martiñón, specialist in audiology, otoneurology, and speech-language pathology at ABC Medical Center, this can range from earwax buildup, an infection, or simply aging. Nowadays, noise pollution is becoming a major health concern due to headphone use, excessive noise at work, and vehicles like cars or motorcycles; hearing damage caused by noise or medication is irreversible.
More than 1.5 billion people worldwide experience some degree of hearing loss. Of these, an estimated 430 million have moderate or greater hearing loss in their better-hearing ear.
Generally speaking, problems in the outer and middle ear can be treated medically or surgically; but for inner ear problems, the only solution is to use some type of hearing device. These devices come in many forms and are designed to address a wide range of causes of hearing loss. An audiology specialist is the best person to fit and adjust these devices.
How Can You Tell If You Have a Hearing Problem?As with everything in life, hearing naturally declines with age, and this loss is also irreversible.
Dr. Toral notes that the body’s abilities begin to decline starting around age 25, becoming noticeable from age 40 onward. From age 60, half of the population will have some type of hearing problem; after age 70, that figure rises to 75%; and by age 80 or older, it reaches 100% of the population, although this can vary depending on the type and degree of hearing loss.
Symptoms to Watch ForAmong the various symptoms that can occur, the most important is ringing in the ears (tinnitus), especially when it happens during quiet moments, this is often the first sign that the ear isn’t hearing properly. While tinnitus can have many different causes, such as environmental noise levels, diet, or an accident, it’s very important to get it checked and treated to avoid further complications.
Other common signs in people who are starting to lose their hearing include turning up the volume on the radio or TV without realizing how loud it is, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, or even beginning to misunderstand what they hear.
Beyond the hearing problem itself, people who begin experiencing this condition may also develop isolation, insecurity, or depression as a result of not hearing well. They may also start to experience a decline in cognitive and language abilities, along with an increased risk of accidents due to hearing loss.
Tests for Detecting Hearing ProblemsThere are various types of tests, for both children and adults, that help identify the type of hearing problem and the extent of the damage.
- Impedance testing (tympanometry), which evaluates the outer, middle, and inner ear.
- Pure-tone audiometry, which measures hearing threshold (the minimum level of sound a person can perceive).
- Speech audiometry, which measures how well spoken words are understood and helps assess the integrity of the auditory nerve and higher brain functions.
Treatment Options for Hearing Loss in AdultsAs mentioned, since the causes of hearing problems can vary widely, treatment options vary as well. Generally, for outer or middle ear problems, surgery and medical treatment are the most common approaches.
But when it comes to the inner ear, where hearing loss is permanent, different types of devices can be used.
Hearing aids work as sound amplifiers, allowing people to hear their surroundings more clearly. In cases of more profound hearing loss, a cochlear implant may be used, an electronic device placed in the inner ear that creates a new way of hearing through electrical signals, explains Dr. Toral.
At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine area, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
