HEARING PROBLEMS
& DEAFNESS
There are many causes for going deaf, ranging from simple blockage by ear wax, to viral infection of the inner ear causing nerve deafness. Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, commonly in childhood or in the elderly. At Miss Cheang’s clinic, she will take a detail history, make an assessment and arrange a hearing test. Occasionally an MRI scan could be needed as part of the investigation.
Type of Deafness
Conductive loss – this is mainly due to problems stemming from the outer or middle ear, thereby affecting the conduction of sound. Examples are ear wax or foreign body in the ear canal, middle ear infection, or fluid in the middle ear (so called glue ear). Rarely it could also be caused by problems of the little hearing bones in the middle ear.
Sensorineural Deafness – or commonly known as nerve deafness. There is an inability to transmit the sound signal from the inner ear to the brain. Causes for this could be due to an inner ear infection of viral origin, deterioration with age, or noise exposure in the past.
Treatment of Deafness
Treatment largely depends on the cause.
Ventilation tube insertions can be offered if glue ear was found. Occasionally high dose steroids are needed for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing aids can also be arranged.
LOCATIONS
NUFFIELD HOSPITAL
Nuffield Hospital,
Kingswood Rd,
Tunbridge Wells,
TN2 4UL
KIMS HOSPITAL
KIMS Hospital,
Newnham Ct Way,
Weavering,
Maidstone,
ME14 5FT
FOURWAYS DENTAL & AESTHETIC CLINICS
4 Sevenoaks Rd,
Borough Green,
Sevenoaks,
TN15 8BB
SERENITY THERAPIES
Serenity Therapies,
42 High St,
Tunbridge Wells,
TN1 1XF
Correspondence Address: Nuffield Health Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Kingswood Road, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4UL
OUR AFFILIATIONS