Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Causes and Treatment

by Ankita Sehgal Freelance Blogger, Lives in New Delhi

Also known as “nerve deafness”, sensorineural hearing loss is a problem that stems from the inner ear and not from the hearing nerve. However, due to inadequate knowledge, people still group the two problems together. This is because the inner ear and hearing nerve are linked and need to function together. Another reason why hearing loss requires immediate action is that the ‘downstream’ neural parts of the hearing system are dependent on the ‘upstream’ sensory parts for input in order to grow and stay healthy.

Sensorineural hearing loss takes a toll on any individual’s life. It makes the everyday schedule much difficult and hectic. Hence, it is important to know about the causes of this disease so that one can take precautions to avoid it:

• ·         Tumours
• ·         Ageing (presbycusis)
• ·         Malformation of the inner ear
• ·         Any virus or disease
• ·         Otosclerosis
• ·         Autoimmune inner ear disease
• ·         Head trauma
• ·         Heredity
• ·         Prolonged exposure to loud noise
• ·         Ménière’s disease

The advancement in technology over the past years has allowed us to come up with various health solutions like the invention of the medical infrared thermometer. In case someone is struggling with sensorineural hearing loss, there are many treatment methods one can avail for:

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL): This is an otologic emergency condition that needs to be medically treated with corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are useful in reducing cochlear hair cell swelling and inflammation caused owing to long exposure to loud noise.

 

When the inner ear fluid compartment ruptures or leaks due to head trauma or abrupt changes in the air pressure, it can have detrimental effects on the inner ear. This state can be treated with emergency surgery, but the success rate has been variable in the past.

 

Bilateral progressive hearing loss: This condition is managed medically with the help of long-term corticosteroids and even drug therapy. Autoimmune inner ear disease occurs when the immune system fails to function properly and damages the inner ear structures.

 

Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss: It is associated with Ménière’s disease and its symptoms include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and vertigo. A low-sodium diet, diuretics, and corticosteroids are used to treat this disease medically. In case the vertigo is not controlled medically, it is eliminated using various surgical procedures.

 

Sensorineural hearing loss from disease: When sensorineural hearing loss is caused owing to a disease in the central nervous system, it may respond to medical treatments targeted to cure the specific disease affecting the nervous system.

 

Hearing aids are widely used for enhancing hearing capabilities as well. They are easily available at prominent medical stores like Smart Medical Buyer and when quality hearing aid batteries are installed, these devices last for very long.

 

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Created on May 6th 2019 03:53. Viewed 434 times.

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