[Hinews] [Physician's Column] By Taeheon Lim, Director of Sorisoop Otolaryngology Clinic

Hearing loss, the impaired ability to perceive sound at normal levels, arises from causes beyond congenital defects, including aging, prolonged noise exposure, and infectious diseases. Patients often report muffled speech or tinnitus, a persistent ringing in the ears.

Untreated hearing loss disrupts daily life, fostering social isolation, depression, or cognitive decline. Early diagnosis and intervention are vital to prevent these outcomes, yet the condition’s gradual onset frequently delays recognition until significant impairment occurs.

A close-up of a hearing aid being adjusted by an audiologist, with a patient’s ear in the background, highlighting the precision required for fitting the device.
A close-up of a hearing aid being adjusted by an audiologist, with a patient’s ear in the background, highlighting the precision required for fitting the device.

Identifying the precise cause is the first step toward effective treatment. Sudden or inflammatory hearing loss may respond to corticosteroids or medications that enhance blood circulation to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss, which is more resistant to recovery, requires meticulous diagnosis and long-term management.

Audiometric testing diagnoses hearing loss when patients cannot detect sounds below 25 decibels, roughly the level of a whisper. Delayed treatment heightens the risk of permanent auditory damage, underscoring the need for prompt medical evaluation and consideration of options like hearing aids.

For progressive hearing loss, hearing aids are the primary intervention. These devices amplify external sounds to compensate for auditory deficits but must be tailored to the patient’s specific hearing loss, age, occupation, and lifestyle. Success hinges on professional assessment and precise fitting, not merely acquiring the device.

Initial use of hearing aids can be challenging, with amplified background noise often feeling intrusive. Most patients adapt within two to three weeks, and some benefit from auditory rehabilitation to enhance sound recognition.
As long-term medical devices, hearing aids require regular maintenance. The first year often involves frequent adjustments, followed by check-ups every six months to a year. Changes in hearing or device performance necessitate immediate consultation with a specialist.

Hearing loss extends beyond sound perception, eroding overall quality of life. At the first sign of symptoms, patients should seek prompt medical evaluation and pursue customized treatments or hearing aid fittings to restore their connection to the world.

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