Kuulmishäire

Kuulmishäire, or hearing impairment, is a general term for reduced ability to hear. It can affect one or both ears and ranges from mild to profound. The condition can impede understanding speech, especially in noisy environments, and may affect communication, education, and daily activities. It is a spectrum rather than a single disease.

Causes are diverse. They are commonly categorized as conductive (outer or middle ear problems such as wax buildup, infections, or perforated eardrum), sensorineural (damage to inner ear or auditory nerve due to aging, noise exposure, genetic factors, infections, ototoxic drugs, or head trauma), or mixed. Onset can be congenital or acquired later in life, and can be sudden (e.g., noise trauma) or progressive (e.g., presbycusis).

Diagnosis typically involves screening and audiometric testing. Pure-tone audiometry measures thresholds for different frequencies. Tympanometry assesses middle-ear function. In some cases, imaging or specialized tests are used to identify the cause. Newborns are commonly screened; adults may be referred to an audiologist or ENT.

Management depends on type and severity. Interventions include hearing aids for mild-to-severe loss, cochlear implants for severe or profound sensorineural loss, and bone-anchored or other assistive devices. Speech-language therapy and communication strategies, sign language or captioning can support communication. Treatable causes (ear infections, wax, fluid, otitis) are addressed. Rehabilitation and education support improve outcomes, particularly for children.

Prevention and public health: With timely intervention, many people maintain basic communication and participation. Early detection through screening improves language development in children. Prevention includes protecting ears from loud noise, avoiding ototoxic drugs when possible, vaccination and treating ear infections promptly.