What are the symptoms of hearing loss?
Whether your condition is sudden or gradual, you’ll likely encounter a number of symptoms from hearing loss. Hearing loss is classified as mild, moderate, severe, or profound based on the severity of your symptoms. They include:
- Muffled hearing
- Difficulty following conversations
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Pain in one or both ears
- Ringing in the ears
- Ear pressure
- Trouble hearing high pitch sounds and voices
Depending on the severity of your condition, Dr. Berg can use a number of different treatment methods to restore your hearing. If you’re experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, speaking with an ENT specialist can help you avoid permanent hearing loss.
What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors. Although most hearing loss is the result of age (presbycusis), there are a number of other medical concerns that can cause the condition. They include:
- Chronic ear infections
- Injuries to the ear
- Perforated eardrum
- Meniere’s disease
- Tumors
- Ear deformities
- Obstructions of the ear canal
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
The ear consists of three major parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Disease or damage to any of these areas can result in varying degrees of hearing loss.
How is hearing loss diagnosed?
To diagnose your condition Dr. Berg performs a number of different evaluations. Your diagnosis begins with a physical exam and discussion of your symptoms. Dr. Berg will also perform a general screening of your hearing, asking you to cover either ear and describe how well you hear words spoken at different volumes.
Dr. Berg also performs hearing tests and determines the severity of your condition based on the results of your audiogram, a graph that shows the range of sounds you’re capable of hearing.
How is hearing loss treated?
Once you’ve been diagnosed, several methods can be used to address your condition. Treatment options include
Removing blockages
If earwax or a foreign substance is found to be the culprit of your hearing loss, Dr. Berg uses small tools to remove the obstruction and clear your ear canal. Blockages are a highly treatable and reversible cause of hearing loss.
Ear surgery
Certain conditions like ear deformities require ear surgery to improve or restore hearing. Otosclerosis, a rare condition that causes abnormal bone growth of the middle ear, is often treated through surgery.
Hearing aids
If your hearing loss is permanent or affects the middle ear, hearing aids can be used to effectively restore your hearing. A variety of different hearing aids can be tailored to your individual needs. Dr. Berg also provides ear molds, custom-made in-ear hearing aids.
Although the condition mainly affects older adults, patients of all ages including children can experience hearing loss. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, book an appointment with Dr. Berg by phone or online today.
