Do you have hearing loss in one ear?
In most cases, hearing impairment is bilateral. This means that it affects both ears at once. Some people may experience hearing loss that is unilateral. This means it affects only one ear. You’ll find out more about unilateral hearing loss and the causes. If you’re in the area, come visit Pensacola’s best hearing center.
What are the signs and symptoms of unilateral hearing loss
The primary symptom of unilateral listening lossis inability to hear clearly in one ear. The condition can cause hearing loss in one ear, or even muffled sounds. Individuals with the condition might need to increase the volume on their media devices or ask family and friends to repeat certain statements often during a conversation.
These are just a few of the symptoms that people with unilateral hearing loss may experience. Many people will begin to prefer their unaffected ear to the point that they will turn their heads to listen to sounds from the affected ear. People with unilateral hearing loss may find it difficult to understand conversations in busy environments. This symptom is particularly noticeable if only one ear is affected.
What causes unilateral hearing loss?
There are two types of hearing loss that can be experienced in tandem with bilateral hearing loss. They are sensorineural or conductive.
Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by damage to the inner ears and hearing-related nerves. Most commonly, it is caused by:
* Age
* Frequent exposure (known as noise-induced loss)
* Medication side effects
Meniere’s Disease (an inner ear disorder that can cause balance problems and tinnitus).
Obstructive hearing loss is when sound travels in a blocked area, such as the middle ear or the canal. These are some of the most common causes of obstructive listening loss:
* Infections of the ear
* Tumors in the ear
* Injuries to the ears
What are the options for treating unilateral hearing loss?
To determine the root cause of your unilateral loss, consult a hearing professional. This will help you plan for any future treatment. Sometimes, unilateral hearing loss can simply be treated by addressing the root cause. For example, if your ear is infected, then you will need to take antibiotics. Your hearing should return.
Many cases of unilateral hearing loss can be due to hearing loss caused by noise exposure or age. However, most cases are limited to one ear. Your audiologist will recommend a treatment plan if you suspect that you may have unilateral hearing loss. A hearing aid is the most common treatment for bilateral hearing loss.
How do hearing aids for unilateral loss of hearing work?
The cause of your hearing loss will determine the type of hearing aid that you need.
A single, standard hearing aid can be used to treat sensorineural hearing loss. There are specific hearing aids for unilateral hearing loss. These hearing aids use a system called Contra-Lateral Routing of Signal, (CROS), and work as follows:
* The receiver fits into the ear without hearing loss.
* An ear with hearing loss is fitted with a microphone.
* A sound is transmitted to the microphone in the affected ear when it is heard by the receiver. This gives the user the illusion that the sound can be heard in both ears.
BiCROS is a similar system that can be used when there is unequal hearing loss. For example, if your left side has moderate hearing loss but your right side has severe hearing loss.
An audiologist can help you decide which option is best for you. This is why it’s important to seek treatment immediately if you have any hearing loss symptoms. Untreated hearing loss can have a number of negative effects on your personal, professional, and health. There are many options for hearing aids, in various sizes and styles, that will help you hear better again.
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