Conductive hearing loss is usually caused by external or mid-internal conditions and is usually temporary. Conductive hearing loss can be caused by a buildup of wax in the ear canal, a buildup of fluid in the middle ear, or a perforated eardrum.
Conductive hearing loss treatment options often involve medical intervention by an ENT specialist to address the specific cause. This usually means that something anatomical is preventing sound from reaching the inner ear, such as otosclerosis. Surgery may be helpful in some cases, especially if you have bone or anatomical problems.
If medical treatment fails to eliminate hearing loss, or if the hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive, hearing care professionals will look into other options, such as hearing aids or surgical implantation of a bone-anchored hearing system, which works like a cochlear implant different.
Whether you have prescription hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other devices, auditory training or rehabilitation can help the brain relearn how to process noise into sound.
Sometimes these exercises can be done entirely at home, while others are more intensive, similar to a visit to a physical or occupational therapist. But even listening to audiobooks or using a smartphone app to improve your hearing can help and reduce symptoms like hearing fatigue.
Also, while not a treatment in itself, learning to read aloud can help strengthen your communication skills and make life less frustrating with hearing loss.
Sudden hearing loss in one ear should always be treated quickly and requires medication. If you lose your hearing suddenly, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible, as prompt treatment can lower your chances of permanent hearing loss.
People with normal hearing test results who still have difficulty hearing may have a type of hearing loss called recessive hearing loss. In some cases, people with hidden hearing loss do benefit from wearing hearing aids, especially to help speak during noise struggles.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants help a lot, but sometimes they don't meet everyone's specific needs. In these situations, there are countless accessories and hearing aids that can bridge the communication gap. Hearing aids can improve your experience when watching TV, listening to music or making phone calls. These include captioned phones, amplified phones, FM systems, TV hearing aids, smartphone apps, and hearing loops connected to hearing aid induction coils.
When you are unfortunately suffering from conductive hearing loss, in addition to professional equipment such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, consider purchasing Lavoli music lollipops as a source of entertainment for you. It uses bone conduction technology, which can help people with conductive hearing loss hear sound. It is simple to use, and only needs to eat lollipops normally.