Hearing loss affects your capacity to hear or comprehend speech and external sounds. Hearing loss occurs when a section of your ears responsible for relaying information and sounds to the brain begins to deteriorate. Hearing loss is temporary in some cases. However, hearing loss could be permanent when damage happens to vital parts of your ear, such as the auditory neural system.

Diagnosis of Permanent Hearing Loss

When you notice any signs of hearing loss, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. Some of the common signs of hearing loss include:

Difficulty keeping up with conversations in person or on the phone
Asking people to repeat themselves
Listening to music or watching TV with louder than usual volume
Listening to others becomes stressful and tiring

An Audiologist like Les will tell the extent or nature of your hearing loss from the description and hearing symptoms you are experiencing.

Treatment for Hearing Loss

Permanent hearing loss requires long-term solutions. A long-term solution can improve the quality of your life by helping you cope with the condition.

The most common hearing solution is hearing aids. Hearing aids are tiny devices worn on or inside the ear. Your Audiologist can help to select the best pair of hearing aids for your type of permanent hearing loss.

Common Causes of Permanent Hearing Loss

Let's explore a few causes of permanent hearing loss.

Consistent Exposure to Loud Noises

Over-exposure to loud noises is one of the top causes of permanent hearing loss.

You could expose yourself to loud noises intentionally. For example, if you blast music daily, you increase your chances of suffering permanent hearing loss.
The exposure could also be unintentional. For example, if you work in an industry where noise is inevitable. The exposure affects some vulnerable parts of the ear, such as the nerves and sensory cells.

Hearing Loss Due to Old Age

Loss of hearing is a common phenomenon as you age. The process is gradual up until it becomes permanent.

Health Conditions

Some health conditions, such as genetic disorders, are closely associated with permanent hearing loss.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Severe head traumas, mainly traumatic brain injuries, can cause permanent hearing loss.

The only way to distinguish between temporary or permanent hearing loss is through the element of reversibility. If your hearing loss is not reversible, then it is permanent. However, all hope is not lost since you can seek medical attention and adapt to using hearing aid devices. It may take a bit to adjust to the new way of living, but it gets easier with time.

If you have questions about your hearing, please get in touch with Les and the team today CONTACT US HERE