Can I Reverse My Hearing Loss?

One of the most common questions people have about hearing loss is whether or not it is reversible. While many cases of hearing loss are permanent, others are temporary and can resolve on their own or be reversed with the proper treatment.

Temporary Hearing Loss

Cases of temporary hearing loss are often due to a blockage in the ear that prevents sound from traveling properly. This is also referred to as conductive hearing loss. Things like ear infections, earwax build up or a foreign object stuck in your ear can all cause temporary hearing loss.

Once the blockage is removed, either because the infection clears on its own or you receive medical treatment to remove it, your hearing should return to normal.

Sudden Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a type of hearing loss that develops quickly, coming on right away or worsening over a period of several days. It usually occurs in only one ear but can sometimes occur in both. Sudden hearing loss has a variety of causes, including:

Viral illness
Loss of blood flow to the inner ear
Inner ear disorders
Autoimmune disorders
Thyroid issues

In some cases, it can be a sign of a more serious medical condition like a stroke. If you have other symptoms, like weakness on one side, dizziness or loss of vision, seek emergency medical care right away.

Some cases of SSNHL resolve spontaneously. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait and see. Research shows that seeking treatment within the first two weeks of the onset of symptoms greatly increases your likelihood of restoring your hearing. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you experience at least some permanent hearing loss. Treatment for sudden hearing loss involves corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the ear.

Permanent Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) that is not sudden is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss comes on gradually and is, unfortunately, permanent. Many factors can contribute to SNHL, including:

Age
Loud noise exposure
Genetic conditions
Taking certain medications
Disorders that disrupt blood flow, such as heart disease or diabetes

Even though this type of hearing loss cannot be reversed, an audiologist can work with you to find the best pair of hearing aids or other treatment option that meets your individual needs. Hearing aids make it easier for people with hearing loss to process sounds, whether they are at work, enjoying time with their family at home or out with their friends at Sails Restaurant.

To learn more or to have your hearing tested by one of our specialists, call Center For Hearing today.

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The Future of Hearing Devices: Deep Neural Networks & Artificial Intelligence

February 14, 2025

Hearing technology has come a long way over the years; however, one aspect of hearing loss that many hearing aids have difficulty addressing is trouble understanding speech in noise. Fortunately, some of today’s state-of-the-art devices can solve this problem utilizing deep neural networks (DNN) and artificial intelligence (AI). Sensorineural hearing loss causes difficulty understanding speech in background noise. This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the hair cells of the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy, which are then interpreted by the brain. This causes the quality and quantity of the signal sent from the ears to the brain to diminish over time, resulting in the brain expending more energy and effort to make sense of it. DNNs may help improve the transmission of the neural code, making hearing easier on the brain. [1] It’s important to know what DNNs are to understand how they can help. DNNs are a subset of AI. They rapidly analyze large data sets so that they can teach hearing aids and other technological devices how to respond to data like a human would, all while verifying accuracy and making corrections. DNNs are beneficial in hearing technology because they can help with speech enhancement. DNNs can be applied as “time-frequency masks,” meaning select sounds—like speech—are allowed while other sounds are suppressed. DNNs can also identify and separate multiple voices, selecting a primary voice to emphasize and secondary voices to suppress. This feature can help hearing device wearers in a variety of settings. For example, at a restaurant or party, the hearing device can emphasize a conversation partner, allow other nearby voices at a reduced volume and suppress background noises such as dishes clinking. Schedule an appointment to talk to Center for Hearing about our vast state-of-the-art hearing solutions today— (239) 434-0086. [1] Published by Douglas L. Beck. (2021, January 15). Deep neural networks in hearing devices. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/deep-neural-networks

Startup Aims to Develop the First Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

February 14, 2025

A Boston biotech startup is attempting to develop the first gene therapy treatment for hearing loss. If successful, it promises to offer new hope to the estimated 300,000 Americans who suffer from gene-based hearing loss—a number that includes more than 4,000 newborns. The timing may not be ideal, but biotech companies have been largely immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing recession. Developing new drugs takes years, so these companies are better able to weather storms. And the efforts of biotechnology companies that are focusing on tools to prevent and treat potentially fatal health threats has resulted in soaring stock values for many of these companies, even in the face of the current crisis. Akouos, the Boston startup, was founded in 2016. Its goal is to develop the first gene therapy to treat hearing loss and is targeting a specific form of deafness that results from mutations in a single gene. They are experimenting with adeno-associated viruses, using them as vectors to deliver DNA that encodes a functioning gene in certain target cells. Around 7,000 people are afflicted with this type of genetic hearing loss. Adeno-associated viruses are considered viable candidates because they don’t usually cause disease and can be customized to treat a variety of genetic conditions. The company has partnered with two influential organizations: Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Lonza, a Swiss manufacturing company that holds contracts with various pharmaceutical makers. Manny Simons, Akouos’ co-founder and chief executive, holds a degree in neuroscience from Harvard College, a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His desire to help those with hearing loss stems from his passion for playing the piano. “It’s easy to take hearing for granted,” said in a Boston Globe interview. “Maybe because music has been important to me, it’s something that I take a little less for granted.” [1] [1] Saltzman, J. (2020, June 22). Akouos, a startup developing a gene therapy for hearing loss, raises IPO value to $125 million - The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 30, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/22/business/ipo-upped-akouos-boston-startup-working-gene-therapy-hearing-loss/