Treatments for Hearing Loss
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The goal of treatment for hearing loss is to improve hearing as much as possible. The kinds of treatment used depend on the type of hearing loss and the underlying cause. Conductive hearing loss can often be corrected by medical or surgical treatment. Most types of sensorineural hearing loss are permanent and cannot be corrected medically or surgically, but hearing can be improved with hearing aids and assistive devices. Infrequently, sudden sensorineural hearing loss can be treated with high dose steroids.
Treatment may involve the following:
Medical Treatment
Surgery
Hearing Aids
Assistive Devices
Cochlear Implant
Communication Skills
References:
The balance center. The University of Pennsylvania Health System website. Available at: http://www.pennhealth.com/ent/balance/hi/tymp.html.
Hearing loss. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00172 . Accessed August 10, 2005.
Hearing loss. NIH SeniorHealth, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders website. Available at: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/hearingloss/hearinglossdefined/01.html . Accessed August 10, 2005.
Isaacson JE, Vora NM. Differential diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68:1125-1132.
Otosclerosis and stapedectomy. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary website. Available at: http://www.meei.harvard.edu/shared/oto/gencare.php.
Stapedectomy for otosclerosis. Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center website. Available at: http://www.entcolumbia.org/stape.htm .
Last reviewed November 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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