Hearing problems are varied, both in terms of their manifestations and the associated causes. These include hearing loss, hyperacusis and tinnitus.

Hearing loss is a major handicap for children and adults alike. It affects the quality of life, communication, perception, but also learning. Hearing loss can affect one or both ears. There are different degrees of deafness: we speak of mild deafness when it comes to a loss of 20 to 40 decibels (db), average for a loss of 40 to 70 db, severe for a loss of 70 to 90 db, and deep for a loss of more than 90 db. Hearing loss can be progressive, and in particular related to natural aging, or sudden, or be present from birth due to a malformation or a genetic defect.

Hyperacusis is characterized by hypersensitivity of hearing and by intolerance to certain everyday sounds that are usually well tolerated. In other words, you can hear well but some sounds become unbearable: the rustling of a paper, the sound of the wind, that of a vacuum cleaner, or the ringing of the telephone. People with hyperacusis also experience other symptoms most of the time, such as pain, migraines, fatigue, nausea, and may also hear tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a symptom of extraneous noise in one or both ears, but unresponsive to outside stimulation. They can be temporary or permanent and take the form of hissing, pulsing, clicking, hissing, buzzing or buzzing. Their volume is variable and their degree of disturbance as well.

Hearing loss

It may be due to damage to the external auditory canal, the middle ear or the inner ear. The following causes can be cited in a non-exhaustive manner:

• physical trauma: ear injury, blow, head trauma

• pressure on the right or left auditory nerve

• a viral or bacterial infection: meningitis, measles, mumps, shingles, syphilis or rubella

• consumption of so-called ototoxic drugs, such as certain antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or even certain antimalarial treatments

• exposure to chemicals, such as those used in industry (so-called aromatic solvents: toluene, benzene, etc.)

• acute sound trauma: the deafening noise of a firearm, an explosion or a detonation, jackhammers during construction or amplified music (concert, nightclub)

• aging

Hyperacousie

The causes of hyperacusis are poorly understood. Let us quote all the same:

• prolonged exposure to high noise levels

• head trauma

• emotional shock or post-traumatic stress

• an ear infection

Acouphènes

The causes of tinnitus are varied:

• excessive exposure to noise (sound trauma)

• hearing loss related to aging (in the elderly)

• physical trauma, such as a head trauma, ear injury, or stroke

• taking drugs that can damage the components of the inner ear

• the presence of an earwax plug

• Ménière’s disease

• disorders affecting the blood supply to the inner ear

• or recurrent ear infections

Treatments for hearing problems depend on their cause. A doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and will be able to provide appropriate treatment, or at least a way to relieve or live better with hearing problems.

Hearing loss

Whether it concerns one or both ears, whether mild or severe, hearing loss should be the subject of a medical consultation. Treatments are dependent on the cause and may involve, among other things:

• taking corticosteroids

• oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber

• administration of hypertonic solutions

• the placement of an implant

• hearing aid use

• a surgical intervention

Hyperacousie

To relieve hyperacusis, the following measures may be effective:

• ear rehabilitation, using a white noise generator

• desensitization therapy

• or additional treatments such as learning to manage stress using sophrology or relaxation

Acouphènes

No medication can stop tinnitus, but there are ways to alleviate the perception of tinnitus:

• behavioral or sound therapy

• osteopathy, homeopathy or even acupuncture