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Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a common condition that affects patients from infancy to adulthood. There are a variety of causes: bacterial and viral infections, environmental and work-related noise exposure, genetics, medication toxicity and trauma. Hearing loss is divided into two categories: conductive and sensorineural.
Conductive Hearing Loss
The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, and the ossicles, or ear bones, work together to conduct and amplify sound to the inner ear. Hearing loss in this system is called conductive hearing loss. Ear infections are a frequent cause of conductive hearing loss. While acute ear infections can cause temporary hearing loss, chronic ear disease may result in permanent damage. Cholesteatoma is a common cause of conductive hearing loss. Rare but serious complications of untreated chronic ear disease include deafness, vertigo, facial nerve paralysis, meningitis or spinal fluid leakage.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss arises from damage to either the cochlea (in the inner ear) or the auditory nerve. There are a wide variety of causes, including genetic or familial hearing loss, noise-induced hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, ototoxicity from certain medications, infections such as meningitis, head trauma and certain brain tumors.
Hearing Loss Rehabilitation
Treatment options for hearing loss include medical treatment of acute infections; stabilization of certain disease processes such as Meniere’s disease; reconstructive surgery to rebuild the tympanic membrane or the ossicular chain; and hearing amplification or direct neural stimulation.
BAHA implantable hearing devices are an option for patients with single-sided deafness and those who are unable to wear hearing aids due to prior surgery.
Cochlear implantation is now a routine treatment option for patients with profound hearing loss in both ears, including congenital deafness. The safety and success of cochlear implants has led to broader criteria for use, from infants as young as six to twelve months old to patients well into their 80s.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a ringing, chirping or buzzing sensation in the ears, and a common symptom of ear damage. Strategies to alleviate the discomfort and nuisance associated with the sounds include masking devices, hearing aides and tinnitus biofeedback. These treatments are available through our Division of Audiology.
For additional information:
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Cochlear implants:
Cochlear Americas
Hearing screening:
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Noise exposure:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Genetic hearing loss:
Center for Hearing and Deafness Research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
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