Hearing Loss
Hearing loss may be due to
In this section we will discuss about few common Types of Hearing Loss and the Hearing Loss Treatments carried out by Dr.V.Shankar Kumar and his team.
a) Diminished sound conduction through the ear canal or the middle ear. This is called Conductive loss.
b) Damage to the Cochlea ( inner ear ) or the hearing nerve. This is called Sensorineural hearing loss . which is caused by repeated exposure to loud noises, certain medicines , as apart of the ageing process & numerous conditions affecting the inner ear. The severity of hearing loss is determined by hearing test ( Audiometry)
C) A combination of the two is called Mixed hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss could due :
to a trivial cause like was in the ear canal.
Perforation of the ear drum due to chronic middle ear infection. This condition usually requires surgery to graft the ear drum More details about Tympanoplasty
Otosclerosis is a familiar condition leading to progressive hearing loss. It is common in women with hearing loss starting in early adulthood. The hearing loss is due to bone remodelling resulting in fixation of the Stapes (the Stapes being the third bone of the middle ear).
Patients with Otosclerosis are given the option of using a hearing aid or surgery to restore hearing. More details about Stapedectomy
Fluid behind the ear drum ( called Otitis Media with Effusion) when the Eustachian tube is blocked consequent to nasal congestion.If conservative medical treatment fails to improve the condition a minor surgical intervention (Myringotomy & Grommet) placement (More details about Placement of Tubes) be required
Cholesteatoma is a condition where there is skin trapped in the middle ear. Its often accompanied by Recurrent foul smelling discharge & hearing loss. Cholesteatoma has the property to spread by eroding bone around the middle ear, resulting in complications. Cholesteatoma is almost always treated by surgery. More details about Mastoidectomy with Tympanoplasty
The type of hearing loss can be easily established by the use of a simple Tuning Fork. However the severity & accurate estimate is done by hearing tests. More details about Audiometry
