John Austin, MD, FACS

Brownsville & Harlingen ENT Physician

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss falls into one of three categories: conductive hearing loss, nerve-related hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. Dr. John Austin ENT has been providing Austin with superior care for 20 years and treating the loss of hearing is just one of the many conditions that Dr. John Austin treats. 

 

Ear Anatomy

The ears are distinguished by three portions: external, middle and internal. All areas of the ear work together to provide you with the ability to hear. The process begins with the external ear, known as the pinna. Ribbed cartilage composes the pinna and sound funnels through the pinna to the external auditory canal. The external auditory canal is a short tube that ends at your eardrum. The eardrum, and the tiny bones contained in that area, vibrate because of the sound and the vibrations are carried to part of the inner ear, known as the cochlea. Your cochlea transforms sound into nerve impulses and these nerve impulses continue on to the brain. Your ear is not only responsible for your ability to hear, it also affects your sense of balance and head position. 

Hearing Loss

What is Hearing Loss?

The loss of hearing is quite normal as a natural result of the aging process. The Mayo Clinic estimates that nearly 25% of Americans aged 55 to 64 have some degree of lost hearing. While the losing some ability to hear is associated with age, it affects younger individuals as well. The Hearing Loss Association of America states that “about 20% of Americans, 48 million, report some degree of hearing loss.” It is “[e]stimated that 30 school children per 1,000 have a hearing loss.” The loss of hearing is the third most frequent medical condition in the United States, following arthritis and heart disease. 

Types of Hearing Loss

The Hearing Loss Association of America recognizes three distinct types of hearing loss:

  • Conductive hearing loss
  • Sensorineural hearing loss
  • Mixed hearing loss

Each of these types have different causes and treatments specific to them. 

Conductive hearing loss is “when hearing loss is due to problems with the ear canal, eardrum or middle ear and its little bones (the malleus, incus and stapes.” These problems may be caused by:

  • Allergies
  • Benign tumors
  • Deformity of outer ear, ear canal or middle ear structures
  • Ear canal infection
  • Fluid in middle ear (generally as a result of colds)
  • Foreign object in the ear
  • Impacted earwax
  • Perforated eardrum
  • Otosclerosis

Sensioneural hearing loss occurs “when hearing loss is due to problems of the inner ear, also known as nerve-related hearing loss.” Possible causes include:

  • Aging
  • Autoimmune inner ear disease
  • Genetics
  • Head trauma
  • Inner ear deformity
  • Loud noise exposure
  • Meniere’s disease
  • Otosclerosis
  • Tumors

Mixed hearing loss “refers to a combination of conductive and sensioneural hearing loss. This means that there may be damage in the outer or middle ear and in the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve.”

Symptoms

The symptoms experienced vary from based upon the type of hearing loss and between individuals. However, some of the hallmark symptoms indicative of loss of hearing include:

  • Avoiding social settings due to hearing problems
  • Constantly asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly or asking them to repeat themselves
  • Difficulty understanding consonants 
  • Difficulty understanding individual words (especially when background noise is present)
  • Muffled speech or other sounds
  • Requiring radio or television to be set at louder volumes
  • Withdrawing or not participating in conversations

If these or other symptoms are present, it is advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

Treatments

Treatments for loss of hearing are dependent upon the type and cause of the problem. A few of the most common treatments are:

  • Earwax blockage removal 
  • Surgical procedures
  • Hearing aids
  • Cochlear implants

The Hearing Loss Expert You Need

Dr. John Austin provides each and every patient with only the highest quality care. With 20 years of experience in the Austin area, Dr. Austin has the knowledge and experience you require. Because Dr. Austin realizes your time is precious, he has several office locations in order to provide you with more convenience when seeking treatment. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss, contact Dr. John Austin at one of his locations today. 

Ears Ringing? It might be Tinnitus

Ears Ringing?Tinnitus can cause an almost non-stop ringing, clicking, hissing, roaring or buzzing sound in the ears. It may be present in both ears or just in one.

Ericka kept having the sensation of ears ringing

Erika’s ears were always buzzing and not because someone was talking about her. She had a constant, almost non-stop sensation of her ears ringing that was making her life miserable. “I thought I would go nuts,” she said, “I just needed it to stop.”

She made an appointment with an ENT (an ear, nose and throat specialist) and, after a few tests, found that her problem had been caused by a buildup of cerumen (earwax). Erika was relieved to find out that there was a simple treatment. “I felt so silly. I had put off going for weeks and all it was, was a buildup of wax.”

Suffering, But Certainly Not in Silence

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communications Disorders, over 22 million adults in the US suffer from some form of tinnitus[1]. Some researchers put the number as high as 36 million Americans.

Beyond being simply annoying, tinnitus can interfere with daily activities. It can also be a warning that there is a more serious medical issue (such as hearing loss) that needs attention.

What Causes Tinnitus (ears ringing)?

Tinnitus is a relatively common ailment. Sometimes it is a side effect of taking a particular medication (either an over-the-counter medication, or a prescription given by your doctor to treat some other problem).

It can also be linked to an ear infection or environmental factors (for instance, loud noises at a concert or workplace). Even an obstruction within the ear canal, such as in the case of Erika, can bring on the symptoms of tinnitus. Sometimes it is a complication of a viral or bacterial infection.

Other typical reasons for ringing in the ears include:

  • Issues or obstructions in or around the blood vessels of the ear
  • The first signs of hearing loss
  • Problems with the auditory nerve or the cochlea
  • High blood pressure

In rare cases, the underlying cause may not be readily apparent. Doctors often refer to this as an “idiopathic condition,” meaning that the reason for the symptom cannot be determined.

Whatever the cause, most patients just want relief. The best course of action is to make an appointment with your  ENT doctor. He or she can perform the necessary tests, determine a plan of action and provide the required treatment for your tinnitus.

Dealing with the Noise

Treatments vary, but often include medications such as ear drops, antibiotics, antivirals, steroids or other prescription medications as needed. Sometimes it may include changes in the patient’s diet. Or a recommendation in stopping certain medications like aspirin or NSAIDS.

If the cause is a hearing loss, hearing aids may help with the tinnitus. Also hearing protection is very important in patients with tinnitus secondary to noise induced hearing loss. Continued loud noises can make tinnitus worse.

Remember, symptoms are like the check engine lights on your car. They are the only way your body has to get your attention.

Most of the time, tinnitus does not mean that you have a serious illness, but you still need to get it checked out.

[1] https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/tinnitus.aspx

Brownsville ENT

(956) 350-8787
4770 North Expy.
Suite 304
Brownsville, TX 78526

Harlingen ENT

(956) 428-4221
510 Victoria Ln.
Suite 5
Harlingen, TX 78550

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