For those with severe hearing loss, it could be a significant issue for anyone but don’t worry. There are many solutions to this.
You may find yourself experiencing interactions differently, not able to hear normal conversations at regular volumes, and starting to get frustrated. Yet there are plenty of options related to hearing aids that are constructed well and can support auditory function restoration regardless of how severe the hearing loss has become and what the cause of it may have been.
All about Severe Hearing Loss
The medical definition of this condition is that the decibel levels need to start at 70+ for people to be able to hear the sound. This is from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). However, the CDC also says that it can also mean a person cannot hear conversations occurring at a volume that is considered normal, only louder noises or sounds.
How does Severe Hearing Loss Happen?
There isn’t one specific incident that can cause hearing loss that severe, and it can be either instant or gradual hearing loss. Some factors can be consistently being exposed to noises that are way too loud, infections in the ear, or eardrum damage in general. Getting older can also affect the auditory nerve and cause hearing loss. It can also happen from high blood pressure or diabetes, and injuries to the brain, such as a stroke or tumour. Finally, even too much buildup of earwax can cause long-term damage or a side effect of prescription medicine.
Depending on what the individual is experiencing related to hearing loss, the symptoms range from mild to extensive. The hearing loss can also get worse with time.
How Severe Hearing Loss is treated
The best treatment these days is through cochlear implants or external hearing aids that help to improve communication. Hearing aids are electronic devices placed near the ear. They’re not a cure per se, but they can compensate for and support hearing loss ranging from mild to severe and beyond. Cochlear implants are best for those that are suffering from severe to extreme hearing loss.
Medical specialists from the University of California in San Francisco have stated there are some treatments available. These come in the form of surgery or certain types of medicine. There’s also a slew of devices to support severe hearing loss, such as listening devices and text display systems. These types of rehabilitative equipment can be used with hearing aids to support recovery and hearing sensitivity.
How to Buy Hearing Aids
You shouldn’t just buy hearing aids when you feel as if you need to hear better. A medical examination related to your hearing performed by an audiologist is the first step to take. The audiologist will help see how bad your hearing loss is and then be able to weigh up some of the most viable options for you to find the best hearing aid possible. They can use the diagnosis to bring you back to normal hearing levels that you had and have it be as natural a transition as possible.
Dr. Kawaguchi said that hearing aids these days are quite advanced and help to improve signal-to-noise ratios. There are also plenty of supportive accessories to help with your hearing compensation needs.
There are even some hearing aid options with rechargeable functionality as well as Bluetooth functionality, adding to them a level of sustainability and convenience. Always check what types of convenience you want with your hearing aid options.
How to find the right type of Audiologist
It can still be hard these days to find that balance of quality and affordability when looking for audiologists in the U.S., which affect nearly 40 million people with some type of hearing loss. This information comes from the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Chad Ruffin, who is an otolaryngologist, and ENT surgeon board certified, confirmed the above, saying, “It’s still hard getting the right care for such a debilitating disability as severe hearing loss.” He does, however, say there are some times to look at when trying to find the best audiologist.
“Sizing and fit are important, and make sure your hearing aid measurements are done with real ear measurements or REMs.” He advised. “Verification of the hearing aid fit and subsequent hearing prescription is done by using a microphone as a way to check that the fit is just right.”
Another thing to look at is the consideration for more premium options in hearing aids. Dr. Ruffin feels that hearing aids with better noise filtration are a good idea in these premium options as they’ll work to only provide the noise you need. A good audiologist should be offering these types of options post-diagnosis, alongside showcasing other types of better technology, such as those with wireless microphones.
A final note from Dr. Ruffin is that there are some patients with some of the most extreme cases that could benefit the most through a cochlear implant. They work by stimulating the hearing nerves and also through the conversion of sound to electricity. It is a simple outpatient procedure, and it’s placed just under the skin. The processor that runs it is placed on the outside.
“Originally for worst-case scenarios, cochlear implants have had a massive improvement in the past four decades to help many more patients, such as those who have issues with background noises,” said Dr. Ruffin.
There are some out there that don’t always see a patient that would benefit from an implant, and that needs to change as it’s best to have these implants done before they get too hard of hearing or even into what is considered the ‘stone deaf’ range, according to Dr. Ruffin.
To avoid misdiagnosis, get your diagnosis from those that work in programs offering cochlear implants; they’ll be the best ones in the industry to know whether you have the right type of severe hearing loss to receive cochlear implants sooner than later. As a result, you’ll get a more comprehensive treatment plan and end up hearing better.
