Dealing with profound hearing loss
Posted by DR Paul on Jan 12, 2023
I'm going, to be honest: I don't know a lot about profound hearing loss. So, I did some research! Here's what I learned about this condition and how it can be treated.
What is profound hearing loss?
You may have heard the term “profound” used to describe someone who is profoundly deaf. But what does it mean to be “profoundly deaf”?
Profound hearing loss is a term used by audiologists to indicate that your hearing has been impaired as a result of a medical condition, or at birth (congenital). If you have profound hearing loss, you can't hear conversation or other everyday sounds at all. This makes it extremely difficult for those with profound hearing loss to communicate with others and function in social situations. For example, if I were born with profound hearing loss, I would need special equipment in order to hear anything at all—and even then would still only be able to understand muffled voices from across the room!
But what does it mean to be “profoundly deaf?” Profound hearing loss is a term used by audiologists to indicate that your hearing has been impaired as a result of a medical condition, or at birth (congenital). If you have profound hearing loss, you can't hear conversation or other everyday sounds at all. This makes it extremely difficult for those with profound hearing loss to communicate with others and function in social situations. For example, if I were born with profound hearing loss, I would need special equipment in order to hear anything at all—and even then would still only be able to understand muffled voices from across the room!
Do I have profound hearing loss?
It’s important to understand what profound hearing loss actually is. There are two main types: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss happens when sound waves can’t travel through the ear canal to vibrate the eardrum and move tiny bones in the middle ear, which stimulates neurons that transmit signals to your brain. Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, occurs when these tiny hair cells in your inner ear are damaged due to aging or exposure to loud noises like concerts or construction work.*
Conductive hearing loss is usually caused by a buildup of earwax, a damaged eardrum, or a hole in the bone behind the ear. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells in your inner ear are damaged. This is often due to aging or exposure to loud noises like concerts or construction work.*
What can be done about profound hearing loss?
If you have profound hearing loss and aren't able to benefit from hearing aids, there are a few other options. Cochlear implants are surgically implanted electronic devices that replace the function of damaged hair cells in the inner ear. They convert sound vibrations into electrical impulses and transmit them to the auditory nerve where they're interpreted by brain cells as sounds you can hear—in essence, they restore some of your hearing ability by bypassing damaged areas.
Auditory brainstem implants also send electrical signals directly to your brain so that it can interpret them as sound.
Acoustic warning devices don't restore lost hearing but instead alert you when something important is going on around you (like a fire alarm or smoke detector). For instance, there's one called "Halo," which attaches itself to glasses and beeps in response to light changes so that those wearing it can react appropriately if necessary.
While there's no cure for hearing loss, the right hearing aids can help you hear better. If you think you might have a problem with your hearing check out Hear-Better.Com profound hearing aids.
Which kind of device is best for someone with profound hearing loss?
Which kind of device is best for someone with profound hearing loss?
Your audiologist will work with you to determine the most effective method of treatment based on your specific needs and preferences. The three most common types of devices used to treat profound hearing loss are hearing aids, cochlear implants, and speech processing devices such as telephones that connect directly to a person’s phone line.
Hearing aids are the most common device used to treat profound hearing loss. These devices can be worn in both ears or just one, depending on your specific needs. There are two types of hearing aids: analog and digital. Analog hearing aids will just amplify sound but do not help with clarity. Digital hearing aids will significantly amplify and clarify sound which are the best helping people with profound loss hear clearly.
There are many ways to deal with profound hearing loss; you just need to figure out which one works best for you.
There are many ways to deal with profound hearing loss. You just need to figure out what works best for you. One important thing is getting a hearing test to be sure if you have a hearing loss, and if it's severe. Even if your doctor says it's normal, get another opinion by going to another office or finding an audiologist who specializes in children or adults with profound hearing loss.
It also helps to get an assessment from an otolaryngologist (ear-nose-throat specialist), especially if you want a cochlear implant or other treatment options like bone conduction devices. If all goes well, this will lead directly to getting fitted for a device of some kind that will help improve your hearing abilities!
Even after having surgery and getting fitted with a device like this though, there might still be some residuals left over from before surgery happened--and these residuals may mean needing extra support from family members who know sign language well enough not only to teach it but also learn how to use them as well."
Conclusion
With so many different types and brands of hearing aids available, it can be overwhelming to find the right device for your needs. It’s important to remember that all devices are not created equal and you should do some research before making a decision on which brand might work best for you. You should consider hearing aids, working with an audiologist, or other hearing specialist who can help guide you through this process as well!