{"id":4064,"date":"2024-03-22T16:19:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T20:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamptonroadsent.com\/?p=4064"},"modified":"2024-03-22T16:19:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T20:19:33","slug":"what-to-know-about-hearing-loss-surgeries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hamptonroadsent.com\/what-to-know-about-hearing-loss-surgeries\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Know About Hearing Loss Surgeries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the United States, around 30 million people live with hearing loss<\/a>. This condition, if unaddressed, can affect an individual’s enjoyment of life. Various treatment pathways exist, with surgical intervention playing a key role in certain scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surgical treatments are tailored to the specific type of hearing loss, which may include reconstructive procedures or the installation of cochlear implants. Here, we explore several medical issues that could lead to surgical procedures aimed at hearing restoration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conditions Leading to Hearing Loss Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Microtia and Atresia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Microtia is a developmental disorder where a child is born with an incompletely formed ear. It frequently co-occurs with atresia, a condition where the ear canal is either closed or doesn’t develop properly, often resulting in conductive hearing loss. The root cause of these conditions is currently unidentified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The standard treatment for Microtia and Atresia involves surgical reconstruction. These surgeries enable medical professionals to either build or enlarge the ear canal<\/a> to correct Atresia or use the patient’s tissue to reconstruct the ear in cases of Microtia. If surgery is not the chosen route, patients have the option of being fitted with a prosthetic ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, a bone-anchored hearing system may be recommended for those with atresia, delivering sound vibrations straight to the inner ear through bone conduction. This system is also a viable option for patients without these conditions, including older individuals suffering from advanced hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Otosclerosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Characterized by atypical bone proliferation in the middle or occasionally the inner ear, Otosclerosis gradually leads to hearing loss. It can be addressed with hearing aids or through operative means such as cochlear implants or stapedectomy surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a stapedectomy, a surgeon inserts a prosthetic device within the middle ear to bypass the non-functioning stapes bone, aiming to restore hearing functionality. When both ears require treatment, the operations are typically staggered, with a minimum six-month gap for healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cochlear implants are an alternative surgical solution that bypasses the natural auditory pathways of the inner ear, establishing an alternate route for sound signals to the brain. Approximately 118,100 adults and 65,000 children in the U.S. have benefited from these implants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Risks of Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with any surgical endeavor, procedures to correct hearing issues are not without risks. The most critical of these include the potential for damage to the facial nerve. Other risks involve the stiffening of the ear, discharge and infection. Comprehensive consultations with healthcare providers regarding the surgical process, aftercare and potential complications are indispensable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those seeking to explore these surgical treatments or to better understand their options for hearing loss management, contact Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy<\/span> to schedule an appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n