Head of Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Istanbul Medipol University Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Ahmet Bayazıt said that there are various causes of hearing loss that occurs in adulthood and age-related, but if there is a genetic predisposition, it can show symptoms in the 30s.
The incidence of hearing loss increases with age. Ear diseases and problems between the central nervous system and the auditory pathways are among the main causes of hearing loss, which is seen at a similar rate in almost every country. Istanbul Medipol Hospital Head of Ear Nose and Throat Diseases Department Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Ahmet Bayazıt touched upon the causes of hearing loss and pointed out that individuals with a family history of hearing loss may encounter this problem starting from the age of 30.
“Chronic diseases as well as structural disorders of the ear can cause it”
prof. Dr. Yıldırım Ahmet Bayazıt stated that some diseases in the body may indirectly affect the hearing system and cause hearing loss, and said: Calcifications or congenital anomalies affecting the structure or movement of the ossicles, structural disorders of the inner ear, Meniere’s disease affecting the dynamics of the inner ear can be counted primarily. In addition to these, viral infections, toxic reactions caused by some chemicals in the inner ear, pressure traumas, other ear and head traumas, exposure to sudden and loud noise or long-term noise, ear or brain stem tumors are among the causes.
Noting that neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), blood diseases such as leukemia, endocrine and metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and rheumatism may also be the cause of hearing loss, Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Ahmet Bayazıt added that individuals who suspect hearing loss should definitely consult an ENT specialist. “Hearing loss can be treated according to the patient’s condition after simple examinations and tests. With the application of a hearing aid or a hearing implant in cases of advanced loss, the patient can regain the ability to hear,” said Prof. Dr. Yıldırım Ahmet Bayazıt said that there is no age limit to apply implants in adults who lost their hearing later. However, he stated that the implant procedure should be done as soon as possible after the hearing loss occurs and emphasized that otherwise the efficiency of the implant may be low or the adaptation of the person to the auditory implant may be difficult.
“If the hearing aid does not benefit, a hearing implant may be the appropriate solution”
If a person has a severe hearing loss and does not benefit from a conventional hearing aid, the physician may decide that the implant procedure is appropriate in the light of the clinical evaluations and tests. Dr. Yıldırım Bayazıt stated that the patient’s cochlear implant procedure can be approved within the scope of SGK reimbursement under certain conditions in the tertiary hospital conditions. Dr.Bayazıt continued as follows: “A person with hearing loss should apply to the otolaryngology clinic of a tertiary hospital that is authorized to perform this procedure in order to have cochlear implant surgery. Cochlear implantation is applied in many tertiary health institutions in our country. After the first examination by the otolaryngologist, the patient’s hearing and speech tests are performed. The ear structure is visualized by radiological methods. If the relevant physician decides that the patient is an implant candidate, the patient is included in the surgical program with the committee report to be signed by three otolaryngologists.
Emphasizing that untreated hearing loss begins to cause psychological and social problems in the person and his immediate environment, Dr. Bayazıt stated that these people, who started to be isolated from the society, started to suffer from depression, and that the communication skills and learning ability of the person began to decrease. Stating that there is a relationship between untreated hearing loss and early dementia, Dr. Bayazıt pointed out that it is critical to go to an ENT specialist without wasting time when hearing loss is noticed.
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
