Tag: Hearing Problems

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.

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.