Treatment plans for hearing impairment are individualized depending on the underlying cause, the age and medical history of the patient and other factors. Treatment generally involves a multifaceted plan that addresses the underlying cause of hearing impairment and improves hearing.
Treatment of hearing impairment begins with prevention. This includes avoiding loud noises or protecting the ears from noise with devices, such as approved earplugs. Prevention also includes chewing gum, swallowing or using a decongestant as recommended when flying or travelling to high altitudes.
Treatment for an ear infection varies depending on the specific type of infection. Treatment may include oral antibiotics and/or antibiotic ear drops and corticosteroid ear drops. In some cases that do not resolve with medication, a surgical procedure may be needed to insert tubes in the ears, remove ear fluid or infected tissue and/or repair a damaged eardrum.
Treatment of Meniere's disease includes medications to reduce fluid in the ear, nausea and vomiting. Prescribed medications can also help the nausea and vomiting of labyrinthitis If labyrinthitis is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed.
Treatment of earwax blockage includes loosening and removing ear wax by irrigating the ear with warm water. A special device may be used by a licensed healthcare provider to manually remove earwax. This should not be attempted at home. Eardrops may be recommended to prevent the development of another earwax blockage.
Hearing aids can help hearing impairment that does not improve by treating underlying causes. Hearing aids work by increasing the volume of sound that comes into the ears with a microphone and an amplifier.
Nerve deafness is treated with a cochlear implant. This electronic device is placed during a surgical procedure and works by stimulating nerves in the inner ear.
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Hearing Impairment includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
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