Hearing Loss Treatment

Hearing loss is not a disease in itself but a sign of other problems in the body. For this reason, treatment is aimed at the cause. Earwax plugs or foreign objects in the outer ear canal are treated by removing them from the ear canal.

Middle ear diseases can mostly be treated with antibiotics and other medicines. Chronic middle ear diseases usually require surgery. In otosclerosis, caused by calcification of the stapes bone in the middle ear, the stapes can be removed and replaced with a prosthesis. This procedure can improve hearing. Hearing problems arising from the outer and middle ear can be effectively corrected with medicines or surgery.

Treatment should start as soon as possible and should not be delayed. If hearing loss does not improve with medicines or surgery, a hearing aid, a middle ear implant or a bone conduction implant may be an option. Sensorineural hearing loss related to the inner ear is mostly permanent. This type of loss usually comes from a problem in passing sound along the nerve pathways of the hearing system, and a hearing aid is mostly needed.

Sensorineural hearing loss related to the inner ear usually cannot be treated with medicines. For mild, moderate and severe loss, a hearing aid or an active middle ear implant may be a solution. For severe and profound loss, a cochlear implant is recommended. Because mixed hearing loss comes from problems in the inner ear, outer ear or middle ear, its treatment includes medicines, surgery, hearing aids, active middle ear implants or bone conduction implants. In hearing loss caused by a tumour, the hearing nerve may be sacrificed when the tumour is removed.

Related pages: Free hearing test, Hearing aids, Home visits.

Who decides on the treatment path?

The cause of hearing loss can only be understood through an examination and tests. An ENT doctor decides which option is suitable: medicines, surgery, a hearing aid or an implant. The hearing specialist carries out the hearing test and, if a device is needed, adjusts it. If hearing loss starts suddenly, affects only one ear, or comes with ear pain or discharge, see an ENT doctor without delay. For people who start using a hearing aid, the adjustment period usually takes a few weeks, and the settings are fine-tuned again at regular follow-ups.