How an ENT Clinic Diagnoses and Treats Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is divided into three types: a condition in which the person's ability to perceive sound is reduced. It can affect people of any age, but it is more common in adults above 60 years. The three categories in which it can be divided are – sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss. After a comprehensive hearing test, the ENT would ask you to go through a specific diagnostic test to understand the intensity and present condition of the ear and based on which further medical treatment would be prescribed.
Diagnostic test
There are various diagnostic tests conducted on the inner and outer ear structures to understand your present condition:
Medical history - Medical history can help to determine the cause of hearing loss. It can be due to exposure to loud noise due to a job, side effects from medications, frequent ear infections, or a genetic condition in the family. The ENT can also report you to a sinus doctor if the sinus is causing ear damage.
Physical examination—ENT checks the condition of the ear using light and a magnifying lens. The ear canal and eardrum are examined for the build-up of ear wax. The intensity is tested using a tuning fork.
Hearing test—Also called audiometric tests, determine the location and nature of loss. They give complete information on whether the ear canal, middle ear, and ear canal are functional.
Otoacoustic emission test—If the medical history and physical examination prove hearing loss, an auto-acoustic emission test is performed to identify which inner ear area is damaged.
MRI and CT scan—If only one ear is affected, an MRI is conducted to visualize the inner ear and its surrounding structure. If there is conductive hearing loss, a CT scan is done to visualize the sharp details of the middle ear.
Medical treatment
After the diagnostic processes, painless and quick medical treatments are prescribed, which include:
Antibiotic treatment—If a bacterial infection is leading to hearing loss, antibiotics are prescribed to relieve the pain, infection, and inflammation.
Ear removal—If the gland inside the ear produces too much air wax and keeps it accumulating, it is removed using a suction device to treat the loss.
Hearing aid—If hearing loss affects one or both ears, a hearing aid is prescribed. It can improve your condition. Hearing aids are available in different sizes, styles, and models, and based on the patient's requirements, an appropriate fit is prescribed.
Surgery—If a structural problem is causing the loss, surgery is recommended to correct it. The most expected surgery is the implantation of a cochlear device.
Summing it up
The early signs of loss involve being unable to hear high-pitched sounds, such as an alarm or the telephone ringing. You might also feel dizziness or spinning. If any such problem is accompanied by ringing in the ear, then it's time to visit the ENT at a reliable ear nose throat clinic. Early evaluation of the ear can help to treat hearing loss at an early stage.
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