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HEARING LOSS? WHAT NOW?
Normal hearing is classified as having thresholds of 20 dB orbetter in both ears. A person who is not able to hear as well assomeone with normal hearing –is said to have a hearing loss.Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. It canaffect one ear or both ears, and leads to difficulty in hearingconversational speech or loud sounds (ASHA, 2020).
‘Hard of hearing’ refers to people with hearing loss ranging frommild to severe. People who are hard of hearing communicatethrough spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids,cochlear implants, and other assistive devices.’Deaf’ peoplemostly have profound hearing loss, which implies very little or nohearing. They often use sign language for communication.
When unaddressed, hearing loss impacts many aspects of life atindividual level: Communication and speech, Cognition,Education and Employment, Social isolation, loneliness andstigma.
In developing countries, children with hearing loss and deafnessoften do not receive schooling. Adults with hearing loss alsohave a much higher unemployment rate. Among those who areemployed, a higher percentage of people with hearing loss are inthe lower grades of employment compared with the generalworkforce
Causes of hearing loss
- Genetic factors – Include hereditary and non-hereditary hearing loss
- Birth asphyxia (a lack of oxygen at the timeof birth
- Hyperbilirubinemia (severe jaundice in theneonatal period)
- Low-birth weight
Chronic ear infections - Meningitis and other infections
- Chronic diseases
- Smoking
- Age-related sensorineural degeneration
- Impacted ear wax
- Trauma to the ear or head
- Loud noise/loud sounds
- Ototoxic medicines
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Viral infections and other ear conditions
Early identification of hearing loss and ear diseases iskey to effective management.
This requires systematic screening for detection ofhearing loss and related ear diseases in those whoare most at risk.
Hearing assessment and ear examination can be conducted by an audiologist.
Once hearing loss is identified, it is essential that it is addressed as early as possible and in an appropriate manner, to mitigate any adverse impact.
Measures available to rehabilitate people with hearing loss include:
the use of hearing technologies, such as hearing aids,cochlear implants and middle ear implants;
the use of sign language and other means of sensory substitution
