An Introduction to Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss (more from wiki article) is a serious form of hearing deficit if left untreated. Many people take the hearing that they use for granted, and don’t realize how much they use it to interact with the world. It’s also the most common form of hearing loss and affects a variety of people. Daily vigilance is necessary to retain the hearing you already have or at the very least, protect what you have left. First off what is sensorineural hearing loss and what are the treatments available, what are the myths surrounding it, as well as how we here at AXIL can help you live a more fulfilling life.
What Is Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Just over 10 percent of Americans live with sensorineural hearing loss, out of the 25+ million American that have some form of hearing loss. There’s various factors as to why it can occur, but it usually comes down to just a one time exposure to an explosive sound or repeated exposures to a loud sound. An example would if you’re too close to fireworks or if you work construction with loud machinery. What ends up happening inside your ear is damage to what’s called your stereocilia that’s inside your cochlea. It’s a part of your inner ear that’s responsible for hearing sound. Inside the cochlea are cells that respond to any sort of vibration. This vibration sends a form of an electrical charge to what is known as your auditory nerve. With time and age, these tiny hairs can become broken and destroyed therefore leading to hearing loss at higher tones. The following are other causes:
- Old age
- Being exposed to loud sounds
- An unfortunate medical venture
- Diseases
- Traumatic injuries
- Very loud sound over a long period of time
- Infections of varying nature
Here is a video explaining Sensorineural hearing loss
Treatment
Unfortunately at this time, there is no method to repair the stereocilia cells. Although, they can be treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants depending on how bad the hearing loss is. The solution may not be the best, but there is always an answer if you are truly looking for it.
Myths Surrounding SNHL
- SNHL only affects old people.
- False, SNHL effects a wide age group. Out of 48 million Americans, 40% are under the age of 60. It can affect anyone at any age.
- SNHL only occurs when people are exposed to an extremely loud sound.
- False, SNHL can occur with individuals that have been exposed to diseases such as mumps, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, ménières disease. Sensorineural hearing impairment may also occur if your mother has had rubella (German measles) during pregnancy, or if your birth weight was low.
- SNHL can be fixed with a simple surgery.
- False, unfortunately this is a form of permanent hearing loss. Once the hair cells inside the cochlea are damaged, there is no way to regenerate new ones.
Can AXIL Give Me My Life Back?
Here at AXIL we currently offer a few different options for electronic listening devices. Realize that just because you may not have any hearing issues now, doesn’t mean you can’t set yourself up for success in the future. Taking the steps now, means you can prevent any future issues from arising.
There are two basic models AXIL offers, the Spectre Open-In Ear and Clear Flex I-Open Ear/Behind-The-Ear. Both of them offer great control and overall comfort not matter where life takes you. There is even a line of electronic plugs that are custom formed specifically to your ear. The Edge 90 or 360 are set up for you and have a multitude of features. Finally, our SmartFIT Hearing Test & Programmer is our spin on how you can not only test your own hearing, but also reconfigure and fine tune any of our electronic products. Whether on the go for work or in the safety and comfort of your own home, this device will be sure to bring you back the confidence in your hearing.
Culminating it all, sensorineural hearing loss is a very common and extremely detrimental condition that affects more people than you think. There are many myths surrounding it as well, and in the end creating more misinformation than there needs to be. As always, get your hearing tested if it hasn’t already and protect what you have. There’s no reason in 2019 to have serious issues with your hearing when companies like AXIL exist.