Hearing loss: treatment, prevention and prognosis

Treatment of hearing loss is mainly carried out using medication, depending on the causes that caused the disorder.

• In case of sulfur plug, it is removed by rinsing the ear canal with a heated disinfectant solution. The stream is directed to the upper-posterior inner surface of the canal simultaneously with the ear being pulled up and back. If the rinsing procedure does not bring the desired effect, then the plug is softened with an alkaline solution with the addition of glycerin. After 2-3 days, the rinsing is repeated.
• In case of circulatory disorders in the labyrinth, the administration of antispasmodics is prescribed, dehydration is performed. It is recommended to use angioprotective drugs (trental) and drugs that improve metabolism in tissues and cells (B vitamins, as well as ATP, cocarboxylase, etc.). It is possible to use drugs that lower blood pressure and affect blood clotting.
• If post-infectious hearing loss is observed, treatment should be aimed at destroying the infectious agent in the body. Antibiotics are prescribed - mainly macrolide and tetracycline drugs, the course of treatment is not less than a week. In addition, agents that improve tissue metabolism (ATP, nicotinic acid) are used, as well as drugs that improve the transmission of nerve impulses. Electrophoresis is indicated after the end of antibiotic therapy. A repeat course of treatment is possible after 2 months.
• If vascular thrombosis is suspected, anticoagulant drugs (for example, heparin) and vasodilators (papaverine, no-shpa, etc.) are prescribed.
• If the cause of hearing loss is vascular spasm against the background of vegetative-vascular instability, or in case of cerebral circulation disorder, drugs are prescribed that dilate blood vessels and improve blood supply to the brain (cavinton, trental). In addition, sedatives and, if necessary, sleeping pills are used.
• In cases of sound perception disorders associated with noise trauma or contusion, medications are used depending on the neurological picture of the disease. Such treatment should be aimed at relieving swelling of the auditory nerve, eliminating the consequences of hemorrhages in the inner ear and suppressing the inflammatory process.
• In case of damage to the auditory nerve by ototoxic drugs, detoxification therapy is carried out (after unconditional withdrawal of the drug that had a toxic effect), and also means that improve tissue metabolism are used. Detoxification should be long-term, about 1 month.

Priority drugs for hearing loss are those that improve blood circulation in tissues, and in particular, in brain tissues. Among such drugs, the most well-known are Cinnarizine, Piracetam, Nootropil, Cerebrolysin, etc. These medications are used for 10-14 days or longer. Sometimes medications are administered directly into the cavity of the inner ear, using a shunt in the eardrum.

If hearing loss is accompanied by vestibular disorders and dizziness, it is possible to prescribe drugs that stimulate the areas of the inner ear responsible for the spatial position of the body. Such drugs include Betaserk and Betahistine.

To relieve swelling of the auditory nerve, diuretics are used.

If it is not possible to improve hearing and eliminate its decline, it is recommended to use external hearing devices or undergo cochlear implantation surgery.

Cochlear implantation is the insertion of special devices into the tissues of the inner ear that can conduct sound excitations along the nerve to the brain. Unfortunately, this procedure is not indicated for everyone: it can only be performed on those patients whose auditory nerve is not damaged by pathology.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ]

Prevention of hearing loss

Prevention of hearing loss includes following a number of rules that will protect your hearing organs from damage:

• if your work involves high noise levels, you must wear special ear protection – headphones or earplugs;
• use sound-proof headphones during shooting ranges, as well as during mass fireworks displays and celebrations;
• If you work in a noisy environment, you should be regularly checked by a doctor for hearing loss;
• avoid prolonged hypothermia, wear a hat appropriate to the season, especially in strong winds;
• avoid stress, measure your blood pressure regularly;
• Do not dive too deep into bodies of water. If you have consumed alcohol, it is better to refrain from swimming altogether;
• Take vitamin supplements, eat more vegetables and fruits to support your immune system.

It is worth mentioning preventive measures taken in childhood. Hearing can be affected in both adults and children, so it is very important to prevent the development of the disease from childhood.

What needs to be done:

• treat infectious diseases of the ears, nose and throat promptly and completely;
• conduct hardening sessions, give the child a sufficient amount of vitamins;
• get vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, since complications of these diseases are the cause of hearing loss in childhood;
• do not treat your child's illnesses yourself;
• Explain to your child how harmful it is to listen to music on a player through headphones too loudly.

Prognosis of hearing loss

In case of sudden hearing loss, if treatment is started in a timely manner, the prognosis can be favorable: about 80% of such cases end positively, and hearing is completely or almost completely restored.

If hearing has been declining gradually, then full restoration of hearing function can be discussed only in 15% of cases. The probability of a good prognosis depends on the degree of hearing loss, the general condition of the patient and the dynamics of the underlying disease.

If the eardrum is damaged, then in most cases a surgical operation is performed to restore its integrity. The prognosis after such an operation is optimistic, the hearing threshold is completely regenerated.

Hearing loss in childhood significantly complicates the child's adaptation to society, and in adults, it significantly worsens the quality of life. Despite the fact that some degrees of hearing loss are recognized as irreversible, it is necessary to consult a doctor, because timely treatment is already a big step towards restoring the lost function.

[ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]