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Is It Possible To Cure Sever Hearing Loss In My Baby Without The Use Of Hearing Aids?

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Posted on Mon, 13 Jan 2014
Question: Raising this query regarding my daughter XXXXXXX who is 2 years old.She has been diagnosed with hearing loss.Right ear -Mild to Moderate hearing loss.Left Ear-Severe-Profound hearing loss.Was suggested the use of hearing aids by the doctors who checked her in Chennai.Is there any other treatment or any other way this can be cured,without the use of hearing aids?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Please upload reports Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query. Please upload the hearing test reports/audiometry of XXXXXXX Also please tell how is her speech, and at what age it developed, if it is developed. Otherwise, I suppose she is having sensory neural hearing loss (SNHL) on both sides, right mild to moderate and left severe-profound. If she is having SNHL as per description above, she needs a supplementation of the hearing by some method so that her speech can develop normally. All these measures need to be taken as early as possible as 3 years is an important landmark in this treatment. Waiting for your reports. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (1 hour later)
Dr.Prahalad, XXXXXXX is still a small baby when compared to other children of her age,she is 8.1 kg now. Her body is still not very stable and strong.She has missed all the major milestones until now...like neck stability was attained after 8th month,started crawling around 1 year,started walking in 1 year and 10 months...etc etc..She is slow but picking up steadily.Her walking also has not become stable still.She was born in Jipmer hospital in Pondicherry.Based on the recommendations from doctors here,we had been taking her for Physiotherapy sessions and that is how she has shown improvements and started walking ,now even running and climbing everywhere.Bodily developments are slow but she's showing improvements. Is there a possibility that her hearing may improve after some time? Through physiotherapy,or some excercises or by medicines? Also, Is there a chance that hearing may deteriorate?What all precautions should we be taking? Can she lead a normal life?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: She should do well with amplification Detailed Answer: Thanks for uploading the reports. Baby is having sensory neural hearing loss on both sides and otherwise she is having delayed milestones. After going through the reports, my opinion is that child needs supplementation of the existing hearing which is possible by means of amplification. Hearing aids are the simplest means which can give amplification. Amplification helps in giving the child proper hearing and this will be necessary for proper speech development. The other method which can be used is a cochlear implant which involves surgically putting a part of implant inside the bone behind hear permanently and a part which looks like a hearing aid and will remain outside the ear. But it is a costly procedure. Seeing her hearing test results, she should do well with both the options. Any option other than hearing aid which you have asked, appearance wise all the options will be like a hearing aid. Hearing will not improve with time like other things are improving. So, please do not delay the treatment with a hearing aid or implant as delay will lead to poorer results as far as speech development is concerned. So, please go for amplification (by what ever mean you want) and it should be followed by speech therapy over prolonged period. Speech therapy is as important as the other forms of physiotherapies you are doing. Speech therapy alone will not do anything without amplification. Medicines are a big no. Hearing should not deteriorate over time unless there is some form of insult to the hearing apparatus in future which can be a trauma whether physical or noise or drugs. Precautions: Please avoid all ototoxic drugs and excessive noise exposure. Use whatever amplification you are using as long as the child is awake and get regular sessions of speech therapy done. She should live a normal life with all these measures and family support. Wish her good health. Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prahlad Duggal (32 minutes later)
Dr.Is there a possibility that her hearing may improve once her body gains some strength? I mean this is this is something related to nervous system ; nerve's connection to the brain...Can that be improved in anyway?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prahlad Duggal (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Pleas do not delay treatment Detailed Answer: Thanks for the query. I am again emphasizing that please do not delay the treatment in the hope that things will improve as the body gains strength. You will be doing more harm than good to the child by delaying treatment as the speech results are dependent upon the time of initiation of speech therapy post amplification. So, do not wait for a miracle to happen. Go ahead with the treatment i.e. amplification followed by regular speech therapy. Feel free to ask another query. Regards
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prahlad Duggal

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 784 Questions

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Is It Possible To Cure Sever Hearing Loss In My Baby Without The Use Of Hearing Aids?

Brief Answer: Please upload reports Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for the query. Please upload the hearing test reports/audiometry of XXXXXXX Also please tell how is her speech, and at what age it developed, if it is developed. Otherwise, I suppose she is having sensory neural hearing loss (SNHL) on both sides, right mild to moderate and left severe-profound. If she is having SNHL as per description above, she needs a supplementation of the hearing by some method so that her speech can develop normally. All these measures need to be taken as early as possible as 3 years is an important landmark in this treatment. Waiting for your reports. Regards