Can Hearing Loss Be Reversed?

Older man staring out of the window wondering is his hearing will come back

The Recovery Ability of Your Body

The human body can normally heal scrapes, cuts, and broken bones, though some injuries take longer than others.
But you’re out of luck when it comes to repairing the little hairs in your ears.
Up to this time, at least.
Animals have the ability to renew damaged cilia in their ears, recovering their hearing, a trait that researchers are presently making an effort to replicate in humans.
If you damage the hearing nerves or the tiny hairs, you could experience permanent hearing loss.

At What Point Does Hearing Loss Become Permanent?

Upon identifying hearing loss, the first concern that usually emerges is whether the hearing will be restored.
It is uncertain if it will happen, as it depends on numerous variables.

Two principal forms of hearing loss:

  • Blockage-related hearing impairment: If your ear canal is partly or completely blocked, it can mimic the symptoms of hearing loss.
    Earwax, debris, and abnormal growths can possibly block the ear canal.
    The good news is, your hearing normally recovers as soon as the obstruction is cleared away.
  • Hearing loss caused by damage: But there’s another, more widespread type of hearing loss that makes up approximately 90 percent of hearing loss.
    Known clinically as sensorineural hearing loss, this kind of hearing loss is often permanent.
    The hearing process is triggered by the impact of moving air on tiny hairs in the ear which send sound waves to the brain.
    Your brain transforms these vibrations into auditory signals that are heard by you as sound.
    But your hearing can, over time, be permanently harmed by loud noises.
    Damage to the inner ear or nerve can also cause sensorineural hearing loss.
    A cochlear implant can help restore hearing in some cases of hearing loss, especially in severe cases.

A hearing exam will help you identify whether hearing aids will help enhance your hearing.

Solutions for Enhancing Your Hearing

Sensorineural hearing loss currently can’t be cured.
But it might be possible to get effective treatment.
Benefits of proper treatment for your wellness:

  • Preserve a good overall standard of living and well-being.
  • Successfully address any symptoms of hearing loss that you might be experiencing.
  • Take care of your remaining hearing to stop further damage.
  • Keep isolation away by remaining socially active.
  • Prevent mental decline.

The kind of treatment you obtain for your hearing loss will differ depending on the extent of the issue.
A typically recommended and relatively straightforward solution is the use of hearing aids.

What Role do Hearing Aids Play in Dealing With Hearing Impairment?

Individuals experiencing hearing loss can use hearing aids to detect sounds which will allow them to function more effectively.
Tiredness happens when the brain needs to work harder to process sound.
Researchers have come to recognize that prolonged mental inactivity presents a substantial risk to cognitive health, as new discoveries shed light on the importance of continuous mental stimulation.
Your mental function can begin to be restored by utilizing hearing aids because they let your ears hear again.
Research has revealed that wearing hearing aids can substantially delay cognitive impairment, with some studies indicating a decrease of up to 75%.
Modern hearing devices allow you to concentrate on specific sounds you wish to hear while reducing background noise.

The Best Defense is Prevention

Preserving your hearing is crucial because once it’s lost, it’s often irretrievable. Certainly, if you get something lodged in your ear canal, you can most likely have it cleared.
However, this doesn’t lessen the risk posed by high-volume noises, which can be harmful even if they don’t seem overly loud to you.
So taking steps to protect your hearing is a good plan.
The better you safeguard your hearing now, the more treatment potential you’ll have when and if you are inevitably diagnosed with hearing loss.
Treatment can help you live a wonderful, full life even if a cure isn’t a possibility.
Talk with our expert audiologist to discover the most suitable solution for your unique hearing requirements.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.