Professional Treatment for Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a common condition with multiple causes. While some of these are irreversible, others are not. In such cases, our doctor and his team of professionals can usually treat the problem and restore at least some of the patient’s hearing, but it is first important to detect the cause of the condition.
Earwax Accumulation
Earwax is a substance that protects the ear. As people age, they produce more and more of it, and the accumulated wax can block the canal. While people can still hear even if only three to five percent of the canal is clear, the wax can swell and completely block the canal after getting wet from a shower or after a dip in the pool. Symptoms of a blockage include hearing loss, a full feeling in the ears, pain and dizziness.
Allergies
Colds, allergies and sinus infections can all cause temporary hearing loss by causing the eustachian tube to swell shut and block the ears. In many cases, patients mistake allergies for bad or recurring colds. Doctors warn that the average cold lasts seven to ten days. A patient with cold symptoms that has lasted for two weeks or more should see our doctor and get tested for allergies. Similarly, the average adult gets three colds per year. A patient who gets more colds than that should also consider being tested for allergies. Our doctor can, after diagnosing the patient, devise an appropriate treatment to relieve the congestion and prevent further outbreaks.
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is a condition that runs in families and is characterized by the abnormal growth of bone on the stapes, a tiny bone shaped like a stirrup in the inner ear that helps us hear. The new bone restricts the stapes’ movements and, thus, impairs the patient’s hearing. Otosclerosis can actually cause two types of hearing loss. The first type, which is caused by the stapes’ restricted motion, can usually be fixed. Unfortunately, otosclerosis can also cause chemicals to be released into the inner ear fluids – and the resultant nerve damage and hearing loss is not reparable.
Professional Treatment Options
When you schedule an appointment at the office of Daniel J. Leeman, MD in Austin, our team can evaluate your unique situation and come up with a customized treatment plan for addressing your hearing loss. Contact us today to book a consultation and get started.