Treating hearing loss
Some types of hearing loss can be cured, others can be remedied.
Most conductive hearing loss, which occurs in the outer or middle ear, can be cured - either by medical treatment or through surgery. Conductive hearing loss is often temporary, e.g. when due to earwax. But it is important to seek medical assistance before the ear suffers permanent damage.
Sensorineural hearing loss, however, cannot be cured, but hearing aids or a cochlear implant can help. Sensorineural hearing loss is due to problems in the inner ear and is most often the result of damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea. Some types of sensorineural hearing loss are inherited.
If your child is suffering from sensorineural hearing loss, you must ensure that hearing aids are provided. They do not restore your child's hearing, but will help your child benefits to the fullest from the remaining hearing ability.
Another remedy to sensorineural hearing loss may be a cochlear implant. This is surgically implanted in some cases of profound hearing loss and deafness. A cochlear implant is a device that transforms sound into electronic impulses which are then transmitted to the cochlear in the inner ear.
