Hearing loss is considered one of the most common health problems, as it affects millions of people around the world. It can affect people of any age, from infants to the elderly. It also greatly affects the quality of an individual’s life, as hearing loss can lead to isolation. Social impairment and reduced ability to communicate with others effectively.

To understand hearing loss: We review for you the causes of hearing loss, its types, symptoms, the most prominent methods of treating it, and how to avoid contracting it.

What is hearing loss?
Hearing impairment refers to a common condition that means the inability to hear sounds normally or the ability to hear is reduced. This impairment may be mild, moderate, or severe, as the degree of hearing impairment varies between individuals. It can be slight in some cases and severe in others. It may affect one or both ears.

Causes of hearing loss:

Genetic factors: Hearing impairment may be the result of hereditary problems in the genetic structure of the individual.
Loud noise: Repeated exposure to loud noise can cause damage to sensory cells in the inner ear.
Diseases and infections: such as bacterial or viral infections that affect the ear and may cause hearing loss.
Exposure to radiation: such as exposure to intense sunlight or nuclear radiation.

Types of hearing loss:

_ Conductive hearing loss: which results from the presence of an obstacle that prevents sound waves from reaching the inner ear, and its causes include:
- Accumulation of earwax.
- Middle ear infection.
- Rupture of eardrum.
- Middle ear stiffness.
_ Sensorineural hearing loss: which results from damage to the inner ear, auditory nerves, or brain, and its causes include:
- Getting older.
- Exposure to loud noise.
- some medicine.
- Genetic Disease.
_ Mixed hearing loss: which results from a combination of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

Symptoms of hearing loss:

- Difficulty hearing sounds in general.
Difficulty hearing the sound of television or radio and wanting to raise the volume frequently.
Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy or noisy environments.
- Feeling tired of hearing voices.
- Feeling of ringing in the ear.
- Feeling socially isolated due to difficulty communicating.
- Feeling dizzy.

Methods of diagnosing hearing loss:

_ Hearing test: It is a test that measures a person’s ability to hear different sounds.
_ Ear examination: Through the examination, it is possible to determine whether there is any blockage in the auditory canal or damage to the eardrum.
_ Imaging tests: These tests can be undergone to find out if there is any damage to the inner ear, auditory nerves, or brain, including an MRI or CT scan.

Methods of treating hearing loss:
Treatment for hearing loss depends on its type and severity, and treatment options include:

1- Hearing aids: such as the use of sound-enhancing hearing aids, which can help compensate for lost hearing, as well as cochlear implants.
2- Surgical treatment: Surgery can be used to treat some types of conductive hearing loss. In some cases of severe hearing loss, surgery may be the ideal option to improve hearing.
3- Pharmaceutical treatment: To treat some types of sensorineural hearing loss, as in cases of hearing loss resulting from infections or diseases, drug treatments can be used to control the condition.
4- Hearing therapy: teaching people how to deal with hearing loss and improving communication skills.

Tips to avoid hearing loss and prevention:
Hearing loss is one of the famous diseases of aging, the chances of contracting it increase as one gets older, but this does not prevent a person from contracting it at any of the previous stages of his life, so here are some tips to prevent it:

_ Stop using the mobile phone for long periods and limit yourself to a few seconds per call.
_ Do not neglect the treatment of recurrent ear problems such as middle ear infections and inner ear infections.
_ Do not ignore any signs that appear on the ear, such as increased secretion of internal wax or the release of unpleasant secretions, such as blood or water accumulated in it.
_ Do not neglect external ear cleaning.
_ Do not neglect to protect the ear from water when bathing using cotton plugs.
_ Avoid constant exposure to loud sounds.
_ Whispering when talking and getting used to that.
_ Do not clean the ear from the inside except by consulting a specialist to perform this procedure.
_ Refrain from inserting any foreign body into the ear.
_ Avoid negligence in treating sinus and chest problems and everything related to the respiratory system, ears, throat, and tonsils.
_ Avoid exposure to loud noise.
_ Use ear protectors when exposed to noise.
_ Get regular ear medical care.
_ Follow a healthy diet.
_Exercise regularly.
_ Quit Smoking.

Hearing loss is considered a serious health problem that may affect an individual’s quality of life. Therefore, appropriate treatment must be sought to improve hearing and reduce possible negative effects. It is necessary to direct medical attention to any symptoms that indicate hearing loss and begin appropriate treatment as soon as possible, but there is no need to worry. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, people with hearing loss can live a normal life full of different sounds.

It is important to be aware of the importance of preventing hearing loss by avoiding harmful factors, maintaining ear health, and taking regular care of it, given that hearing is an essential part of the quality of life. It must be carefully cared for and sufficient efforts directed to preserve and improve it if necessary.

You can overcome hearing loss and live a life full of beautiful sounds