Hearing loss: treatment, prevention and prognosis

Treatment of hearing loss is mainly carried out by a medicamentous method, depending on the causes that caused the disorder.  

• With a sulfur plug, it is removed by washing the ear canal with a heated disinfectant solution. The jet is directed to the upper-posterior internal surface of the passage simultaneously with the retraction of the ear up and back. If the washing 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 rinse is repeated.
• With the disorder of blood circulation in the labyrinth, the administration of antispasmodics is prescribed, and dehydration is carried out. It is recommended the use of angioprotective drugs (trental) and drugs that improve the 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 coagulability.
• If there is a post-infection hearing loss, the treatment should be aimed at destroying the infectious agent in the body. Antibiotics are prescribed, mainly macrolide and tetracycline drugs, and a course of treatment for at least a week. In addition, they use agents that improve tissue metabolism (ATP, nicotinic acid), as well as drugs that improve the transmission of nerve impulses. After the end of antibiotic therapy, electrophoresis is shown. A second course of treatment is possible after 2 months.
• If suspicion of vascular thrombosis is prescribed anticoagulant drugs (for example, heparin), vasodilators (papaverine, no-shpa, etc.).
• If the cause of hearing loss is vasospasm against the background of vegetovascular instability, or in the disorder of cerebral circulation prescribe drugs that dilate blood vessels and improve the blood supply to the brain (cavinton, trental). In addition, use sedatives and, if necessary, sleeping pills.
• At disorders of perception of a sound which are connected with a noise trauma or a contusion, apply preparations depending on a neurologic picture of disease. Such treatment should be aimed at removing the swelling of the auditory nerve, eliminating the consequences of hemorrhages in the inner ear and suppressing the inflammatory process.
• When the auditory nerve is damaged by ototoxic drugs, detoxification therapy is carried out (after the unconditional withdrawal of the drug, which has a toxic effect), and also uses the means that improve tissue metabolism. Detoxification should be prolonged, about 1 month.

Priority drugs with hearing loss are tools that improve blood circulation in tissues, and in particular in brain tissues. Among such funds, the most known are Cinnarizine, Pyracetam, Nootropil, Cerebrolysin, etc. These medications are used 10-14 days, or longer. Sometimes drugs are injected directly into the cavity of the inner ear, using a shunt in the tympanic membrane.

If the hearing loss is accompanied by vestibular disorders and dizziness, it is possible to prescribe medications that stimulate the areas of the inner ear, responsible for the spatial position of the trunk. These tools include Betaserk and Betagistin.

To remove the swelling of the auditory nerve, use diuretics.

If the hearing is corrected and its decrease is not eliminated, it is recommended to use external hearing aids, or to perform a cochlear implantation operation.

Cochlear implantation is the introduction into the tissue of the inner ear of special devices that are able to conduct sound excitations along the nerve to the brain. Unfortunately, this procedure is not shown to everyone: it can only be performed by patients whose auditory nerve is not damaged by pathology.

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

Prevention of hearing loss

Prevention of hearing loss includes compliance with a number of rules that will protect your hearing aids from damage:

• if your work is associated with a high level of noise, you need to wear special protection for the ears - headphones or ear plugs;
• use soundproof headphones on firing, as well as during mass fireworks and celebrations;
• if you work in noisy production, then you should regularly check with your doctor for hearing loss;
• Do not allow prolonged hypothermia, wear a hat for the season, especially in strong winds;
• Avoid stress, regularly measure blood pressure;
• Do not dive into the water too deep. If you have consumed alcohol, it is better to refrain from bathing altogether;
• take vitamin complexes, eat more vegetables and fruits to support the immune system.

Separately it is necessary to note the preventive measures spent at children's age. The hearing can suffer both in the adult and in the child, so it is very important to prevent the development of the disease from childhood.

What you need to do:

• on time and to the end to treat infectious diseases of the ears, nose and throat;
• conduct sessions of hardening, give the child a sufficient number of vitamins;
• to vaccinate for the prevention of measles, mumps and rubella, since the complications of these diseases are the causes of hearing loss in childhood;
• do not treat a child's illness by himself;
• explain to the child how harmful it is to listen to music in the player through the headphones too loudly.

Forecast hearing loss

If there is a sudden decrease in hearing, if the treatment measures are started in a timely manner, the prognosis has the right to be favorable: about 80% of such cases end positive, and the hearing is fully or almost completely restored.

If the hearing decreased gradually, then about the full restoration of the auditory function can only speak in 15% of cases. The likelihood of a good prognosis depends on the degree of hearing loss, the general condition of the patient and the dynamics of the provoking disease.

If the tympanic membrane is damaged, in most cases a surgical operation is performed to restore its integrity. The forecast after such an operation is optimistic, the threshold of hearing is completely regenerated.

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

[6], [7], [8], [9],