Mid-range hearing loss interferes with the ability to hear low-pitched sounds in varying degrees. Here we will discuss the causes of this disability and how you can cope with it.
Both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss can cause mid-range hearing loss. Also, childhood illness and genetic markers can factor in causing this disability. Other than these factors, Wolfram syndrome mutation, Ménière’s disease, Mondini dysplasia, and sudden hearing loss are some of the common causes of mid-range hearing loss.
Causes of Mid-Range Hearing Loss
There are two general causes for mid-range hearing loss:
- Genetic markers
- Illness occurring in general hearing areas
Other than that, age, noise, diseases, or infections can be responsible for mid-range hearing loss. Any damage to the hair cells in the inner ear can cause hearing loss of varying degrees. In some cases, middle ear problems can be responsible for your mid-range hearing loss.
Many people are born with certain genetic markers that cause them to develop mid-range hearing loss. They can either be born with this disability or develop it later in life.
Here are three major illnesses that can cause cookie bite hearing loss:
Wolfram Syndrome Mutation
Wolfram syndrome mutation is an inherited condition. It is one of the reasons causing childhood insulin-dependent diabetes and sensorineural hearing loss.
The symptoms of this syndrome vary from person to person and can emerge at different ages. Approximately 48% of Wolfram syndrome mutation patients develop hearing loss at different stages of their lives.
Ménière’s Disease
Fluid buildup in the inner ear is the primary reason for Ménière’s disease. However, the exact mechanism is yet to be discovered.
Sudden vertigo episodes, tinnitus, mid-range hearing loss, are the most common problems associated with Ménière’s disease. If not treated, the patient may experience permanent hearing loss, including high-pitched sounds.
Mondini Dysplasia
Mondini dysplasia is a malformation of the cochlea that can cause mid-range hearing loss. This genetic mutation is quite rare and develops during birth. Here, the patient is born with one and a half turns of cochlea rather than standard two and a half turns.
Usually, patients with Mondini dysplasia experience profound mid-range hearing loss. It can also cause several problems as the fluids can easily enter into vulnerable parts of the ear. One may suffer from balance loss due to this illness.
Treatments for Cookie Bite Hearing Loss
The best treatment for hearing loss is to get hearing aids at the earliest possible moment. Hearing aids can easily address your problem and give you a better hearing experience overall.
For getting a hearing aid, you will first need to get a hearing test with your audiologist. Then according to the degree of your hearing loss, the audiologist will suggest to you the best hearing aids to choose from.
Upon choosing your hearing aid, you will need to adjust it according to your hearing test. Your audiologist can help you in this manner. Nowadays, you can have a hearing test and adjust your hearing aids with the help of smartphone applications as well.
However, it is recommended to consult an audiologist or a doctor to get hearing aids and adjust them for better results.
If hearing aids cannot solve your hearing loss problem, you may need to get cochlear implants. In this case, you will need to go under surgery to place the implants to hear sounds clearly.
Cochlear implants may take time to get used to. One will need to learn the whole process of listening when a cochlear implant is installed. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor before your hearing gets any worse.
It may take at least two weeks to get used to your hearing aid, more for cochlear implants. Patients may face several challenges during this adjustment time that can be adjusted by consulting their doctor. However, there is no alternative to regular use of your device to get used to the new situations.
Additionally, learning sign language and lip-reading can help the patients to take part in conversations and social situations. It will allow them to understand conversational cues more accurately and express themselves effectively.
Bottom Line
Mid-range hearing loss can cause several problems for an individual. However, there are ways you can cope with these problems.
Make sure to see a doctor at the earliest possible time. Also, use your hearing aids regularly. If any problem occurs, consult your doctor and adjust your device. Make the best choices for living a healthy and full life.