{"id":2532,"date":"2024-03-22T14:49:33","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T19:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tohear.com\/?p=2532"},"modified":"2024-03-22T14:49:55","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T19:49:55","slug":"what-to-know-about-hearing-loss-surgeries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tohear.com\/what-to-know-about-hearing-loss-surgeries\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Know About Hearing Loss Surgeries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Across the United States, 30 million individuals aged 12 and older experience some degree of hearing loss,<\/a> a situation that can significantly diminish one’s quality of life if left unattended. The strategies to address hearing loss are diverse, with surgery being a necessary step for certain types of this condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgical solutions can either aim to repair the ear’s anatomy to improve hearing or involve the placement of cochlear implants, depending on the specific hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s examine a couple of medical conditions that could necessitate undergoing surgery for hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Microtia and Atresia<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Microtia is a congenital anomaly where a newborn’s ear is partially formed. It often presents alongside atresia, a condition marked by the incomplete development or closure of the ear canal. These issues usually lead to conductive hearing loss<\/a>, although their exact causes are still unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatments for Microtia and Atresia may involve reconstructive surgical procedures. These operations allow surgeons to either construct or expand the ear canal to address Atresia, or to reconstruct the external ear using the patient’s own tissues in cases of Microtia. Should patients decline reconstructive surgery, prosthetic ears are another option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For individuals with atresia, an alternative treatment is the implementation of a bone-anchored hearing system. This system transmits sound vibrations straight to the inner ear by making contact with the bones of the skull. Notably, bone-anchored hearing systems<\/a> are also applicable for those who do not suffer from Microtia or Atresia, such as older adults with significant hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otosclerosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Otosclerosis is characterized by unusual bone growth within the middle ear or, more rarely, the inner ear, progressively leading to hearing loss. This condition can be managed with hearing aids or more invasive methods such as surgery and cochlear implants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A surgical procedure known as a stapedectomy is one method to correct otosclerosis. This operation involves the placement of a prosthetic device within the middle ear that takes over the role of the dysfunctional stapes bone, thereby enhancing auditory perception. If both ears require surgical attention, the procedures are carried out separately, typically spaced at least six months apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cochlear implants offer another surgical route, operating by circumventing the inner ear’s natural structures and forging a new auditory path to the brain. To date, in the United States, around 118,100 adults and 65,000 children have been equipped with these devices<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential Surgical Risks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with any surgical procedure, operations to treat these hearing conditions carry their own set of risks, the most severe being possible harm to the facial nerve. Other potential complications include rigidity of the ear structure, ear discharge, and infection. Prior to any surgery, it is essential to have a comprehensive discussion with a medical professional regarding the preparatory steps, aftercare, and potential risks involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more detailed information on surgical options for hearing loss, or to schedule a consultation, please reach out to Today’s Hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n