Sensorineural hearing loss: causes and methods of treatment

Sensorineural hearing loss is a fairly common disease of the hearing aid, which is associated with the defeat of the nervous system. The disease can be the result of damage to the brain region associated with the auditory analyzer, the auditory nerve itself or the hair cells.

To better understand the nature of the disease, it is worth considering the structure of the auditory analyzer. It consists of the outer, middle and inner ear. The main function of these structures is the transformation of sound waves into mechanical oscillations and their transmission to the inner ear's hair system. Here, mechanical vibrations are transformed into a nerve impulse that moves along the auditory nerve to the temporal lobes of the brain - this is where the "hearing center" is located.

Sensorineural hearing loss: the main causes of its occurrence

To date, there are several main factors that can lead to a similar disease.

• Age is the most common cause of the disease. Statistical data suggest that sensorineural hearing loss is more often diagnosed among older patients.
• Quite often, damage to the nervous system and inner ear is the result of infectious diseases. For example, a severe form of influenza, as well as rubella, parotitis, herpes, measles and syphilis can lead to hearing loss.
• Neuritis of the auditory nerve can be caused by harmful production factors, for example, by strong constant noise in a factory or factory.
• To the causes of the disease can be attributed and trauma. And the damage can be not only mechanical, but also acoustic. For example, sensorineural hearing loss is much more likely to develop in residents of megacities, the auditory analyzer of which is constantly affected by urban noise. In addition, loud music at parties, the constant use of headphones, too, are among the risk factors.
• Sometimes hearing loss can be caused by taking certain medications;
• In addition, there are birth defects in the structure and functioning of the auditory analyzer.

You can see that the causes of hearing loss can be very diverse. Therefore, with the smallest problems with hearing it is worthwhile immediately to seek help from a specialist.

Sensorineural hearing loss: treatment

It should be noted immediately that successful treatment is possible only in acute forms of the disease. Unfortunately, chronic sensorineural hearing loss is almost indecisive. That is why it is so important to turn to LOR in time, because the sooner you start therapy, the higher the chance for a full or at least partial hearing restoration.

To begin with, the doctor should carefully examine the patient, perform a series of tests and tests to assess the performance of the auditory analyzer and determine the cause of the illness. As a treatment, prescribe drugs that remove inflammation, fight infection and eliminate swelling. In addition, the doctor can also prescribe the use of immunomodulating agents, especially if the loss of hearing is associated with infection. Also used drugs that improve blood circulation and nutrition of hair cells and auditory nerve. Some methods of physiotherapy are also considered effective.

Sensorineural hearing loss is not always amenable to complete cure. Therefore, in some cases, the only option is the hearing aid.