Hearing is a one of the vital senses of a human being. The organ involved in hearing is the ear.

The transmission of the sound waves from the source occurs through the external auditory canal

to the middle ear. In the middle ear, there are small bones commonly referred to as the ossicles

which include the malleus, incus and stapes that convert the sound waves into electrical stimulus

that is detected by the sensory neurons in the ear. The main nerve that is involved in the process

of hearing is known as the vestibular cochlear nerve. Some of the causes of damage to the

hearing system include trauma, drugs such as aminoglycosides, infections, and loud noise.

(NIDCD 2014).

The damage to the ear results in divergent symptoms mainly depending on the cause.

Some of the most common symptoms are ear-pain, discharge of pus or blood, tinnitus i.e. ringing

sounds in the ear, irritation and itchiness. The symptoms of damage to the hearing system i.e. the

ear, may appear suddenly or graduals in a manner that they are difficult to detect easily. It thus

calls for the individuals or parents to be highly suspicious and be able to identify the issue

quickly using the symptoms that appear early (PAMF or Palo Alto Medical Foundation-

2015). If not treated, any minor damage may result in hearing loss. Early treatment is hence

advised with the aim of eliminating the problem before it becomes a permanent issue i.e. loss of

hearing. Nevertheless, if the cause e.g. trauma was severe at the first encounter, it might directly

cause loss of hearing. Damage to the ear may result in difficulty in hearing the voice of people

clearly and thus leading to misunderstanding of the info that was being conveyed (Asha Sphere

2013).

In addition; the affected individual keeps on telling people to repeat what they have already said.

Another symptom that could be indicative would be an individual listening to music or watching

the television whose volume is high. On the other hand, some people tend to hear the sounds of

low frequency as loud sounds that are commonly referred to as hyperacusis. This mainly results

from the damage to a muscle known as the stapedius muscles that are located in the middle ear

where it supports the small bones of the middle ear i.e. the ossicles (Hidden Hearing- ND).

Such individuals also tend not to hear a doorbell or even a phone ringing. In children, there are

several symptoms that show that there is damage to the hearing system. One major symptom is

that the child lacks to get startled by sounds of high frequency. In addition, affected children tend

to talk loudly and learn to speak slowly (Mayo Clinic- 2014).

Currently, the researchers have solved the problem of hearing for the children born

lacking hearing nerve. In this case, the cochlear implants and the hearing aids cannot help. Such

individuals cannot perceive any sound no matter the frequency or amplitude. The researchers

have come up with an auditory brainstem implant that can induce the nerves located in the

brainstem directly. In this way, it eliminates the need for the cochlear nerve (BHI 2015). Another

study carried out recently has shown that supplements of vitamins to be helpful in the prevention

of hearing loss that is induced by noise. The experiment was done in a mouse by the use of

Vitamin B3. In addition, the vitamin supplements are effective in treating some of the age-related

diseases caused by the lack of that protein. The people of 65 years or more are getting trapped by

hearing loss known as presbycusis. ( HLAA- 2015)

Treatment of a patient who present with the symptoms of hearing system damage

depends on the cause. In case a person has pus discharging from the ear, the likely diagnosis is

otitis media and hence they are given antibiotics. In case the cause was trauma, a surgery may be

performed. For people with hearing loss, hearing aids are used as a mode of treatment. In

children too, the reason through the various tests detected first and then the exact treatment is

decided (NCPH – 2015).

Prevention mainly entails strategies that are aimed at preventing the different causes of

the damage. One main strategy is good hygiene of the ears to ensure that there are no infections.

In addition, one ought not to listen to music at a high volume. Also, regular ear check-up is

necessary for all but be conscious about children and infants. One should also avoid the use of

excessive drugs such as aminoglycosides (Caring, 2007).

References

Sound and Hearing Loss: Symptoms of Damage

Citation

1. NIDCD. (2014). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Retrieved May 09, 2015, from

http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/noise.aspx

2. BHI. (2015). Signs of hearing Loss. Retrieved May 09, 2015, from

www.betterhearing.org/hearingpedia/signs-hearing-loss

3. Asha Sphere (2013) Know The Sign of Hearing Loss. Retrieved May 09, 2015, from

the site

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Loss/

4. Hidden Hearing (ND). Hearing Information. Retrieved May 09, 2015, from

http://www.hiddenhearing.co.uk/hearing-information/

5. Mayo Clinic (2014). Diseases and conditions Hearing Loss- symptoms. Retrieved

May 09, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-

loss/basics/symptoms/con-20027684?reDate=09052015

6. Caring (2007). Hearing Loss Signs- 6 Early Warning Signs of Hearing Loss.

Retrieved May 09, 2015, from https://www.caring.com/articles/early-warning-

signs-of-hearing-loss

7. PAMF (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) (2015). Symptoms of Hearing Loss in

Children. Retrieved May 09, 2015, from

http://www.pamf.org/hearinghealth/facts/children.html

8. NCPH (2015). Early Hearing detection and Intervention Program. Retrieved May

09, 2015, from

http://www.ncnewbornhearing.org/lateonset.htm

9. HLAA (2015). Hearing Loss Basics Retrieved May 09, 2015, from

http://www.hearingloss.org/content/basic-facts-about-hearing-loss

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