Has your senior parent been struggling to hear people when they are speaking, even if they are standing nearby? The root cause of the problem might be a medical condition that is known as sensorineural hearing loss, which can develop as people grow old. Take a look at this article to gain more insight about sensorineural healing loss in case your parent needs to be treated for it.
What Happens with Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
When the inner ear becomes damaged, it can cause sensorineural hearing loss to occur. Basically, the inner ear is the area that contains a lot of small hair cells and a nerve called the vestibule-cochlear that are important for picking up sounds. The hair cells are using for sending signals to a nerve, which then transmits the signals to the brain. It is possible that your parent has damaged hair cells, nerves, or both.
Can Sensorineural Hearing Loss Be Cured?
There is actually no cure for sensorineural hearing loss. Actually, the condition is one of the most common types of hearing loss that is permanent. Although sensorineural hearing loss cannot be cured, your parent can still get diagnosed and treated to improve how well he or she is able to hear sounds.
What Kind of Test is Needed to Be Diagnosed?
Getting diagnosed for sensorineural hearing loss might involve your parent being given a test that is called transtympanic electrocochleography. The test is used for determining the level of electric signals that are in the inner ear nerves. A speech audiometry test is sometimes done as well because it can help a specialist determine how loud sounds must be for your parent to hear them. Your parent will not experience any pain when the tests are performed.
How Can Sensorineural Hearing Loss Be Treated?
Treating sensorineural hearing loss can be done by your parent wearing a hearing aid or getting a hearing device implanted. A hearing aid will basically contain an amplifier, speaker and microphone that will make sound signals louder when they travel through the inner ear. Hearing aids can be removed when they are not in use, and they can be worn on or in the ear. Severe hearing loss can be treated with a device being implanted in a bone that is on the outer or inner area of the ear, depending on the type chosen. Speak to your parent about visiting a specialist to get examined for sensorineural hearing loss.
For more information, contact Pacific Hearing Care or a similar location.
Share20 June 2016
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