Common Causes of Severe Hearing Loss and It’s Symptoms

Hearing loss, especially the severe one, can affect an individual’s quality of life in a very adverse manner. It is necessary to know the causes and manifestations of SHL to prevent the disease and treat it correctly. This article will discuss the possible causes and manifestations of profound hearing loss and how Widex hearing aids are the perfect solution to hearing loss.

Possible factors that lead to severe hearing aids

Severe hearing loss can be due to many causes and can be divided into two main groups, namely congenital and acquired.

1. Congenital Causes

Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is inherited or occurs during pregnancy and delivery.

• Genetic Factors

Inherited Conditions: Certain kinds of hearing loss are genetic in nature and are therefore inherited from parents to their children. Some of the genes which when mutated can lead to congenital hearing loss are known.

Syndromic Hearing Loss: Hearing loss which is a feature of a genetic disorder for instance Usher syndrome or Waardenburg syndrome which has other features and complications.

• Prenatal Factors

Infections: Some of the infections that a woman can get during pregnancy like rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis may cause hearing loss in the baby.

Medications: Some drugs that are toxic to the ears can be taken during pregnancy and this affects the developing auditory system of the fetus.

Premature Birth: Hearing loss can be a consequence of premature birth or low birth weight since the baby’s auditory system has not yet fully developed.

2. Acquired Causes

The hearing loss that occurs after birth and is not a genetic cause is known as Acquired hearing loss.

• Infections and Diseases

Ear Infections: Otitis media (middle ear infection) is a long-standing infection which if not treated may cause hearing impairment.

Measles and Mumps: Some of the viral infections can affect the inner ear and lead to hearing loss.

• Ototoxic Medications

Certain Antibiotics: Aminoglycoside antibiotics may be ototoxic and result in hearing loss.

Chemotherapy Drugs: Some of the treatments for cancer like cisplatin affect the inner ear.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Prolonged use of high doses of NSAIDs can be hazardous to the ears.

• Trauma

Head Injury: Head injuries can affect the hearing system since the auditory pathways can be affected and this results in hearing loss.

Loud Noise Exposure: Noise induced hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that occurs due to exposure to loud noise for a long time, for instance in industries, during concerts or with the use of headphones.

• Age-Related Hearing Loss

Presbycusis: Presbycusis is the progressive loss of hearing that occurs as people age.

• Other Factors

Meniere’s Disease: This disorder of the inner ear can cause fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo and tinnitus.

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease: It is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the inner ear, which results in hearing loss.

Tumors: Tumors, whether benign or malignant in the ear or auditory nerve, can lead to hearing loss.

The Signs of Having Severe Hearing Loss

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The signs and manifestations of profound hearing loss will depend on the etiology and the patient’s presentation. Common symptoms include:

• Difficulty Understanding Speech

1. Having difficulty in comprehending what people are saying particularly when the environment is noisy.

2. Hearing people when they speak and requiring them to repeat what they have said.

3. Hearing high pitched sounds such as the voice of children as a challenge.

• Muffled Hearing

1. Hearing may be difficult, and sounds may appear to be coming from afar or may be heard as if through a wall.

• Increased Volume Needs

1. Having to increase the volume of the television or radio to an unusually high level.

2. Depend on lip reading or body language to get the message of speech.

• Tinnitus

1. Noises that are heard in the ears, which may be ringing, buzzing or hissing and may be present with hearing loss.

• Social Withdrawal

1. Becoming a social outcast and not being able to communicate with people due to hearing problems.

2. Feeling lonely or even depressed because of the lack of ways to communicate with people. Balance Issues.

3. Suffering from vertigo or dizziness which at times may be caused by inner ear disorders.

Widex Hearing Aids: The Best Treatment for Hearing Impairment

Widex is one of the major hearing aid manufacturers with a focus on creating quality hearing solutions that enhance the lives of people with hearing difficulties. Widex hearing aids come with different features that are appropriate for people with profound hearing loss.

• Superior Sound Quality

Widex hearing aids have the PureSound which is a technology that gives the user a natural and clear sound. This helps in reducing distortion and echo, thus enabling the users to have clear and noise free conversations and other surrounding sounds.

• Personalized Hearing Experience

SoundSense Learn allows Widex hearing aids to learn the user’s preferences as he or she uses the hearing aids. This AI based feature guarantees that the user gets the best hearing experience regardless of the environment, be it a library or a busy street.

• Tinnitus Management

The Widex Zen feature produces comfortable noises to alleviate tinnitus, which is the ringing or buzzing sound in the ears suffered by tinnitus patients.

• Connectivity and Convenience

Widex hearing aids are very compatible with Smartphones, TVs, and other devices you can think of.

• Durability and Reliability

The design of Widex hearing aids is quite robust and this makes them use for a long time without requiring frequent servicing. Due to their strong construction, they can be used in different lifestyles and activities.

• Expert Support and Service

Widex offers hearing tests and assessments done by audiologists to ensure that the clients get the right services. They also have a good after sales service where they provide maintenance and repair services to the hearing aids and this makes the users assured of using the hearing aids for many years.

Widex hearing aids: Your solution for hearing loss

Hearing of a loss to such an extent may greatly affect the person’s communication skills and their interaction with the environment. It is important to know the factors that lead to profound hearing loss and the signs of the condition to prevent and treat it. Widex hearing aids provide a complete package of state-of-the-art technology, customizable options, and superior care to empower people with hearing difficulties to live to the fullest. If you or a close friend or family member needs hearing aids, then it is recommended that you choose Widex as they are the best when it comes to hearing aid technology.