Hearing loss

Many older people suffer from hearing loss, but more and more young people are also suffering from it.

Hearing loss is the degree to which someone is hard of hearing. The most extreme case is deafness: the person can no longer follow a conversation even with the help of a hearing aid. Hearing impairment is defined as hearing loss of 20 decibels or more. But hearing impaired people can still hear and understand a conversation.

In some people, hearing loss is congenital. In others, hearing loss developed after an illness such as meningitis or Meniere's disease or after taking anti-cancer medication. But hearing loss can also simply occur due to old age or can be hereditary. Hearing damage can also be caused by prolonged exposure to high sound intensity such as at concerts or in some companies.

In most cases, hearing loss can be treated with a hearing aid. In the worst cases, a cochlear implant is required.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024