Question:
I’ve been wearing hearing aids for about 5 years n I still have trouble hearing people clearly, I’m 30 years old and was told as I get older my hearing would get worse. I would like to know am I eligible to have surgery to restore hearing?
Answer:
Thanks for your question. Today, luckily, there are many options for those of us with hearing losses. However, I cannot answer your individual question without knowing what kind of hearing loss you have.
Sensori-neural hearing losses involve damage to the nerves that control our hearing. This can be anywhere from the cochlea in the inner ear- into the brain where the impulses are decoded for us. Hearing losses of this kind are quite common- Most often, this type of loss is treated with the use of hearing aids. Newer digital aids offer exceptional improvements from older ones in terms of clarity. They should be matched to the needs of the individual by a hearing professional- for optimum results.
For those with severe or profound losses, today we are using cochlear implants. These transmit nerve impulses directly to the cochlea to improve hearing in those whose hearing losses can’t be well treated with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing losses are those involving the mechanical transference of sound waves to the inner ear. This can be caused by anything from wax, to holes in the ear drum, to problems with the hearing bones in the middle ear to fluid in the middle ear. These losses usually can be fixed- by removing the wax, repairing the hole in the ear drum, draining the fluid or by surgery to repair the hearing bones in the middle ear (stapedectomy).
Our website www.nyogmd.com has a section that explains how the ear works and hearing disorders in greater depth. Dr. Neil Sperling is the Director of Ear Care at NYOG.
Robert L Pincus MD
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgery can restore hearing in cases of conductive hearing loss, which involves mechanical problems in the ear such as wax buildup, ear drum perforations, or issues with the middle ear bones. However, sensori-neural hearing loss, which is nerve damage, is usually managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants rather than surgery.
Hearing aids are most effective for sensori-neural hearing loss, where the nerves responsible for hearing are damaged but some function remains. Modern digital hearing aids provide improved clarity and should be customized by a hearing professional for the best results.
Cochlear implants are devices that directly stimulate the cochlea with nerve impulses to help those with severe or profound sensori-neural hearing loss who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids. They bypass damaged parts of the ear to improve hearing ability.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems that block or reduce sound transmission to the inner ear, such as ear wax, middle ear fluid, perforated eardrums, or damaged hearing bones. Treatments include wax removal, fluid drainage, eardrum repair, or surgery like stapedectomy to fix hearing bones.
Yes, age-related hearing loss is common and often gradual, primarily involving sensori-neural damage. However, treatment options like hearing aids and cochlear implants can significantly improve hearing and communication abilities.
The website www.nyogmd.com offers detailed information about ear anatomy, how hearing works, and various hearing disorders. Dr. Neil Sperling, Director of Ear Care at NYOG, provides expert resources to help patients understand their hearing health.
