From the Guidelines
Treatment of sensorineural deafness should prioritize cochlear implants for severe to profound hearing loss, as they have been shown to improve sound localization and speech discrimination, and can also alleviate tinnitus 1.
Overview of Treatment Options
The treatment of sensorineural deafness depends on the severity and cause of the hearing loss. For mild to moderate cases, hearing aids are the primary treatment, amplifying sounds to make them more detectable by damaged hair cells.
- Hearing aids: amplify sounds to make them more detectable by damaged hair cells
- Cochlear implants: bypass damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, suitable for severe to profound hearing loss
- Assistive listening devices: FM systems, alerting devices, and captioning technology can supplement primary treatments
- Communication therapy: with audiologists or speech-language pathologists to develop strategies to maximize remaining hearing and improve communication skills
Rehabilitation and Support
Rehabilitation options, such as audiologic rehabilitation and other supportive measures, should be considered for patients with residual hearing loss and/or tinnitus 1.
- Audiologic rehabilitation: to improve communication skills and address related issues
- Supportive measures: patient education, counseling, and support groups, such as the Hearing Loss Association of America
- Sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or medications like low-dose antidepressants may be recommended for tinnitus
Importance of Early Intervention
Early intervention is crucial, as treatment outcomes are generally better when hearing loss is addressed promptly 1.
- Prompt evaluation and treatment can improve outcomes and reduce the risk of further hearing loss
- Patient education and counseling are essential to inform patients about the natural history of the condition, benefits and risks of medical interventions, and limitations of existing evidence regarding efficacy 1
From the Research
Treatment Options for Sensorineural Deafness
The treatment options for sensorineural deafness include:
- Cochlear implantation: This is a surgical procedure that involves implanting a device that bypasses damaged or non-functioning parts of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve, allowing for the perception of sound 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Cochlear implants for single-sided deafness: This can be an effective treatment option for patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, as it can improve speech perception and reduce tinnitus 2, 3.
- Cochlear implants for severe tinnitus and hyperacusis: Cochlear implantation can also be used to treat severe tinnitus and hyperacusis in patients with sensorineural hearing loss, with most patients experiencing a subjective benefit from the treatment 3, 4.
- Other treatment options: Other treatment options for sensorineural deafness include external and middle ear devices, bone-anchored hearing aids, auditory brainstem implants, and hybrids 6.
- Future prospects: Research is also being conducted on stem cell treatment and hair cell regeneration with gene delivery to the inner ear as potential future treatment options for sensorineural hearing loss 6.
Benefits of Cochlear Implantation
The benefits of cochlear implantation for sensorineural deafness include:
- Improved speech perception: Cochlear implantation can improve speech perception in patients with sensorineural hearing loss, especially in those with severe to profound hearing loss 2, 3, 5.
- Reduced tinnitus: Cochlear implantation can also reduce tinnitus in patients with sensorineural hearing loss, with most patients experiencing a subjective benefit from the treatment 3, 4.
- Improved quality of life: Cochlear implantation can improve the quality of life for patients with sensorineural hearing loss, with benefits extending beyond medical success to social and psychosocial areas 4.