Is Hearing Loss Curable?

Older man staring out of the window wondering is his hearing will come back

The Recovery Capability of Your Body

The physical body can generally repair scrapes, cuts, and broken bones, although some injuries take longer than others.
But you’re out of luck when it pertains to restoring the little hairs in your ears.
At least thus far.
Animals can heal damage to the cilia in their ears and get their hearing back, but human beings don’t possess that ability (though scientists are working on it).
That means you might have a permanent loss of hearing if you damage the hearing nerve or those little hairs.

When is Hearing Loss Permanent?

Upon discovering hearing loss, the preliminary worry that usually arises is whether the hearing will be recovered.
It is unclear if it will happen, as it is dependent on numerous elements.

There are a couple of fundamental forms of hearing loss:

  • Blockage-related hearing impairment: If your ear canal is partially or totally blocked, it can mimic the symptoms of hearing loss.
    Earwax, debris, and abnormal growths can potentially obstruct the ear canal.
    Your hearing normally returns to normal after the blockage is cleared, and that’s the good news.
  • Hearing loss caused by damage: But there’s another, more widespread type of hearing loss that represents about 90 percent of hearing loss.
    Clinically known as sensorineural hearing loss, this type of hearing loss is often irreversible.
    Here’s how it works: tiny hairs in your ear vibrate when struck with moving air (sound waves).
    Your brain converts these vibrations into auditory signals that are perceived by you as sound.
    Prolonged exposure to loud noises can, however, lead to permanent damage to your hearing.
    Sensorineural hearing loss can also be triggered by damage to the inner ear or nerve.
    In some instances of extreme hearing loss, a cochlear implant may have the ability to improve hearing function.

A hearing test can assist in identifying if hearing aids would improve your ability to hear.

Solutions for Improving Your Hearing

Sensorineural hearing loss currently can’t be cured.
But it may be possible to get effective treatment.
Advantages of proper treatment for your well-being:

  • Preserve a good general standard of living and well-being.
  • Effectively manage any symptoms of hearing loss that you may be experiencing.
  • Protect your remaining hearing to stop further damage.
  • Maintain connections and community participation to prevent feelings of isolation and solitude.
  • Stop mental decline.

The form of treatment you get for your hearing loss will vary depending on the extent of the issue.
One of the most prevalent treatment options is rather simple: hearing aids.

How is Hearing Loss Managed by Hearing Aids

Individuals experiencing hearing loss can make use of hearing aids to detect sounds which will allow them to function more effectively.
Tiredness is the consequence when the brain strains to hear.
As researchers acquire more insights, they have recognized a greater threat of cognitive decline with a persistent lack of cognitive stimulation.
Hearing aids help you restore your cognitive function by allowing your ears to hear once more.
As a matter of fact, utilizing hearing aids has been shown to slow mental decline by as much as 75%.
Modern hearing aids enable you to concentrate on specific sounds you want to hear while decreasing background noise.

The Best Defense is Prevention

Preserving your hearing is essential as once it’s lost, it’s usually irretrievable. If an object becomes wedged in your ear canal, it can usually be safely removed.
However, this doesn’t diminish the danger posed by loud sounds, which can be damaging even if they don’t seem excessively loud to you.
That’s why making the effort to safeguard your ears is a good idea.
The better you protect your hearing now, the more treatment potential you’ll have when and if you are inevitably diagnosed with hearing loss.
Getting treatment can allow you to live a fulfilling life, even if total recovery is not achievable.
To determine what your best option is, make an appointment with our hearing care experts.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.