Tag: Hearing Loss

Treatment For Deafness Problems

There are many causes to deafness problems. It could be genetic, from an accident, an illness or the side effects of medication. One thing you have to keep in mind though is that it is not an illness but a symptom of an underlying disorder.

Deafness problems can be classified into two namely conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. The first one can be treated surgically or medically. The second cannot be corrected which is why the use of implants is very common.

Your doctor will only know the degree of your deafness problem after reviewing the results of the audiology test.

There are different types of conductive hearing loss. These are namely blocked Eustachian tubes, fluid in the ear, infection, infected mastoid bone, otosclerosis, ruptured eardrums and wax buildup.

If you happen to have blocked Eustachian tubes, the doctor will have to insert tubes to the eardrum to stop the blockage.

Fluid in the ear is usually caused by an infection. It may go away on its own which is why doctors will wait and see what happens before draining it after making a small incision in the ear drum.

In the event that you have an ear infection, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or eardrops.

If there is an infection with the mastoid bone, this can be treated with antibiotics and in some cases may involve surgery.

Ruptured eardrums similar to fluid in the ear can heal on its own or with the use of an antibiotic. If there are no changes, then the doctor may have to perform surgery.

The only way to treat otosclerosis is an operation. The doctor will go in and replace the damaged bones of the middle ear and put in tiny metal replacements.

Should there be a wax buildup, a trained professional will first do a probe and then use either water irrigation or a suction device to remove the wax.

As mentioned earlier, there is no way to permanently treat sensorineural hearing problems. The only thing that doctors can recommend is a cochlear implant. Installing this device will allow the person to hear.

This is different from a hearing aid because the implant does not amplify sound but works directly by stimulating any functioning auditory nerves inside the cochlea with electric field stimulated through an electric impulse.

The cochlear implant consists of a microphone, speech processor and an RF transmitter. According to one study, more than 100,000 people have had cochlear implants.

Why so low you might ask? This is because cochlear implants are very expensive. It may cost between $40,000 to $100,000 depending on an individuals needs and the center at which the surgery is performed. Those who have undergone the procedure say it was worth it because it helps them read lips better.

So if you had the money, does this mean you can have a cochlear implant? Not yet because you must have certain requirements. You must have severe or profound sensorineural hearing impairment in both ears, have a functioning auditory nerve otherwise it wont work, have good communication skills, tried other hearing aids with no improvement, fit to undergo surgery and have facility close by to monitor your progress.

Treating deafness problems could be both easy and complicated. If you want to hear, you have to see a doctor to find out what is wrong before any option is presented on the table.

There Are Celebrities Who Have Deafness Problems

There are celebrities who have deafness problems and you just dont know it. Read this article to find out who some of these people are.

If you love the series and the movie Star Trek, both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy suffer from deafness problems. Sadly for these two individuals, this was caused a loud explosion from a stage prop which occurred during one of their shoots for this series during the mid-1960s but through the years, both have still appeared in television and movies showing to everyone they still have what it takes to be in the entertainment industry.

Former President Ronald Reagan also suffered from a deafness problem but this happened before he made it to the Oval Office or even into politics. Just like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, this happened when he someone fired a gun near his right ear. Although the effects were not felt back then, in 1983, he was fitted with hearing aids which many are grateful for because it encouraged people who had deafness problems to get help.

Another former president who also has deafness problems is former President Bill Clinton. The joke is that he wears hearing loss because Hillary screams at him all the time but the truth is that this was caused by playing his saxophone regularly. We know practice makes perfect but since you play this instrument often and it is close to you, the ear will eventually reach its temporary threshold shift and if repeated, does result in permanent hearing loss. Former President Reagan wore one hearing aid while Former President Clinton wears two.

Former Miss America Heather Whitestone suffered from a deafness problem. Unknown to many, she lost her hearing when was 18 months old after she suffered from a high fever and the only way to help her was for the doctor to use a life saving anti-biotic.

When she was crowned Miss America in 1995, she was the first female to accomplish this feat. Eight years later, she was able to undergo a cochlear implant making it possible for her to finally hear what people were actually saying.

American body builder and actor Lou Ferrigno also suffers from a deafness problem. He got this when he was three years old due to an ear infection which permanently lost 80% of his hearing. His father put him down because of that but body building helped him combat low esteem making him win various body building competitions and roles in movies like the Hulk.

Jeff Float, a great athletic also has a deafness problem. He got this as a result of meningitis when he was 13 months old. As a result, he lost 90% of hearing in his right ear and 65% in his left ear. Children at school teased him because of his disability which lowered his self-confidence. Swimming changed that which made him a gold medal winner in the 1984 Olympics.

An accident, a sickness or loud music in the case of people who are in the music industry is the causes of deafness problems. It can happen while you are still a baby or later on in life. The only consolation is that there are now ways to treat it so you can communicate with people when you hear what they have just said.

Deafness Problems Can Be Prevented

Deafness problems occur when there is damage in the inner ear. How bad or severe it is caries and there are many factors. Fortunately, it can be prevented and here are a few tips you should know.

First, you should know that hearing loss may be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise or even a loud explosion. As many as 10 million Americans have this problem.

You could get it from a concert, while partying at the disco or from a gun shot fired close to where you are. As a result, the hair cells in the inner ear of the cochlea may suffer permanent damage and the best way to prevent it from happening is to stay away from such places.

Our ears produce ear wax. This is why it should be cleaned regularly otherwise it will cover it entirely making it possible for you to hear. If you dont take immediate action, you will have to use medication or undergo surgery.

If you happen to work in a loud environment like a construction site or in the airport, you should wear an ear protector. Some examples include earplugs, earmuffs and canal caps that are sold in drugstores and hardware stores. The ideal one is something you are comfortable with using. Just make sure that this is in good condition at all times and replaced when needed.

The same goes when you decide to fire a few shots at the firing range because the weapon will produce a loud bang that has also been known to cause deafness problems.

Some diseases have been known to cause deafness problems and a very good example is meningitis. The good news is that this disease can be prevented by practicing proper hygiene, getting immunization shots and keeping your body healthy.

Certain drugs especially ototoxic are known to cause permanent hearing loss. You should consult with your doctor about this and ask him or her to recommend something else that is safer for you to use.

If you listen to music using a headset or earplugs, never set it at a high volume because this could also cause deafness problems. The same goes when you watch television or listen to the radio at home or in the car.

Deafness problems may be caused a lot of things. It could be genetic, due to an illness, age and noise. While some can be prevented, there is no way to prevent it if it is caused by age or genetics. The good news is that there are ways to treat it like a cochlear implant or with the help of hearing aids.

Early detection of hearing problems helps so it does not get any worse. If you have trouble understanding what people say in a crowded room, need to turn the volume higher, have people repeat what they say or be unable to hear pitched sounds, then you could already have a problem. Go and have yourself checked out by a professional so he or she can let you undergo a hearing test.

Now that you know what causes deafness problems, dont keep it to yourself and spread the word around. A friend or family member that does not take steps to prevent it will most likely suffer from it sooner than you think.

Who Among The Famous Musicians Had Deafness Problems

Some of the best musicians in the world had deafness problems. If you think that is not possible, here are a few names you have probably heard of.

The first is Ludwig van Beethoven. You know, that classical German composer and pianist. At the age of 26, he began to lose his hearing since he suffered from a severe form of tinnitus which made it difficult for him to perceive and appreciate music.

Although there was no high tech gadgets back then to help with his problem, he used a special rod which he attached to the soundboard on a piano that he could bit so the vibrations would then transfer from the piano to his jaw. This was just one of the many hearing aids he used even when he was almost totally deaf.

But this did not hinder Beethoven from composing. To this day, musicians and music lovers alike still appreciate his work as a talented composer and pianist.

Lets go forward almost about 200 years and surely those who are reading this are familiar with the group the Beatles. Sir George Henry Martin who is a British record producer, arranger and composer also had hearing problems.

He was often referred to as the Fifth Beatle because he was either the producer or co-producer of all the Beatles original records and played the piano in some of their songs. Unlike Beethoven, he retired from music due to hearing loss.

Another musician from Great Britain is the singer Peter Townshend. If you watch CSI, the soundtrack of that series was from this rock group. Just like Beethoven, Townshend suffered from tinnitus as a direct result of over exposure to loud music through the headphones and during concerts.

On the American front, you have Brian Wilson who happens to be a songwriter, bassist, and singer for the Beach Boys. What makes this person different is the fact that he was deaf in one ear not because of any illness. This happened when his father hit him on the head with a board while he was still young. Like the other musicians, this did not stop him from being part of the one best recording bands in music history.

One song diva, movie star and political activist who also has deafness problems is Barbra Streisand. At the age of 7, her doctor diagnosed her with tinnitus. But as we all know, she still pursued her singing career and even did a few films.

Eric Clapton, known guitarist and singer also has deafness problems. He like other musicians believes that this was caused by the loud speakers used during rock concerts. The sad part is that whether it is acute, mild or severe, permanent damage has been done and there is no way to reverse the symptoms.

The good news is that there are now treatments available but its success has varying degrees of reliability.

The musicians that were mentioned here were not deaf when they were born. They lost it later on in life but even with such a handicap, this has not stopped them from writing, producing or playing great music for audiences. If you know someone who has deafness problems, you can still help them be successful in life with a little encouragement.