Hearing plays such an important role in our daily lives. When hearing loss occurs, whether due to aging or an injury, it can significantly 
impact on our lives. The good news is there are options for improving hearing and treating hearing loss. An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist could recommend the right options for treating your hearing loss. Dr. Paul Burk is your ENT doctor for the treatment of hearing loss in St. Peters, MO.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are different types of hearing loss. Each type of hearing loss is associated with damage to specific parts of the ear. The different types of hearing loss include:
- Conductive: Caused by damage to the ear canal, middle ear, or ear drum, which can be the result of ear infections, allergies, fluid in the middle ear, a punctured eardrum, or congenital abnormalities in the ear.
- Sensorineural: Caused by damage to the inner ear and auditory nerve, which often occurs with aging. Other causes include genetics, head injuries, disease, viral infections, and exposure to extremely loud noises.
- Mixed: Caused by damage to the inner, middle, and/or outer ear that results in both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
- Central: Also referred to as central auditory processing disorder and is caused by a failure of the central nervous system to send recognizable signals to the brain.
Treatments for Hearing Loss
Several options are available for treating hearing loss in St. Peters, MO. An ENT specialist can determine which treatment options are best for each individual based on the type and degree of hearing loss. Treatments for hearing loss include:
- Hearing aids
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids
- Ear tubes
- Myringotomy
- Surgery
Antibiotics help by clearing up ear infections that have caused temporary hearing loss due to congestion. Corticosteroids help by reducing swelling and inflammation in the ear that could be contributing to diminished hearing. Ear tubes are placed into the Eustachian tube inside the ear and can improve hearing by helping fluids to drain from the ear. Another method for helping fluids drain from the ear is myringotomy, which involves piercing the eardrum. Finally, surgery is used to correct bone or nerve problems affecting hearing, as well as to remove tumors.
There are many ways to treat hearing loss. For the treatment of hearing loss in St. Peters, MO, schedule an appointment with Dr. Burk by calling the medical office at (314) 821-5002. Appointments are also available in the Des Peres and De Paul areas.