Will My Hearing Come Back?

Asian woman drinking coffee and straining to hear the birds outside.

The human body has some fantastic and remarkable abilities. The human body usually has no problem healing cuts, scrapes, or broken bones (I mean, sure, it takes a while, but your body can actually repair the huge bones in your arms and legs with little more than some time and a splint).

But you won’t be so fortunate if the fragile hairs in your ears are compromised. At least, so far.

It’s really regrettable that your body can accomplish such amazing feats of healing but can’t regenerate these little hairs. What’s going on there?

When is Hearing Loss Permanent?

So, let’s get right down to it. You’re sitting in your doctor’s office and you’re absorbing the news: you’re losing your hearing. So you ask your doctor if your hearing will ever return. And he tells you that it may or may not.

Dramatically speaking, it’s a bit anticlimactic.

But it’s also the truth. Hearing loss comes in two general forms:

  • Hearing loss due to damage: But hearing loss has another more common type. This kind of hearing loss, called sensorineural hearing loss, is permanent. This is how it works: inside of your ear, there are tiny hairs that vibrate when struck by sound waves. When vibrations are transformed into signals, they are sent to the brain which makes them into the sounds you perceive. But over time, loud noises can cause these hairs to be damaged to the point where treatment is necessary.
  • Hearing loss caused by a blockage: You can show every indicator of hearing loss when your ear has some sort of obstruction. This obstruction can be caused by a wide range of things, from the gross (ear wax) to the downright frightening (tumors). Your hearing will return to normal, thankfully, when the blockage is cleared away.

So here’s the main point: you can recover from one type of hearing loss and you most likely won’t know which one you have without having a hearing exam.

Hearing Loss Treatment

Scientists haven’t discovered a “cure” for sensorineural hearing loss but they’re working on it. But your hearing loss still may be treatable. In fact, getting the right treatment for your hearing loss might help you:

  • Maintain a high quality of life.
  • Preserve and protect the hearing you have left.
  • Avoid isolation by staying socially active.
  • Successfully manage hearing loss symptoms you might already have.
  • Help ward off mental decline.

This treatment can take numerous forms, and it’ll usually depend on how significant your hearing loss is. One of the most prevalent treatments is pretty simple: hearing aids.

Why is Hearing Loss Successfully Managed With Hearing AIds?

Hearing aids can help you return to the people and things you enjoy. They can help you hear the discussions, the phone, your television, or even just the birds in the park. You will no longer be struggling to hear so pressure will be removed from your brain.

Prevention is The Best Protection

Loud noises and other things that would harm your hearing should be avoided and your ears should be protected against them. Your overall health and well being depend on good hearing. Having routine hearing exams is the best way to be certain that you are protecting your hearing.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.