Hearing Loss Treatment in Corpus Christi, TX
Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in the United States, affecting approximately 48 million Americans. Despite its prevalence, many individuals wait years sometimes more than a decade before seeking evaluation and treatment. At Corpus Christi ENT Sinus & Allergy, Dr. Todd M. Weiss provides comprehensive hearing evaluations and individualized treatment plans to help patients reclaim the sounds that matter most in their lives.
Types of Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are unable to travel efficiently through the outer or middle ear. Common causes include earwax impaction, middle ear fluid, eardrum perforation, otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth), and Eustachian tube dysfunction. Conductive hearing loss is often medically or surgically correctable.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the sensory hair cells of the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss and may be caused by aging (presbycusis), noise exposure, viral illness, ototoxic medications, or genetic factors. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are the primary treatment options.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss involves components of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Treatment must address both elements to maximize benefit.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a medical emergency characterized by rapid hearing loss over 72 hours or less in one ear. Prompt treatment with corticosteroids significantly improves outcomes. If you experience sudden hearing loss, contact us immediately.
Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
- Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
- Difficulty following conversations in noisy environments
- Turning up the television or radio to volumes others find loud
- Struggling to hear high-pitched sounds such as birdsong or doorbells
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
- Difficulty understanding speech on the telephone
- Social withdrawal or fatigue from effortful listening
Causes of Hearing Loss
- Age-related changes in the cochlea (presbycusis)
- Prolonged or sudden noise exposure
- Chronic or recurrent ear infections
- Eardrum perforation
- Otosclerosis
- Meniere’s disease
- Head trauma
- Ototoxic medications (certain antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, diuretics)
- Tumors of the auditory nerve (acoustic neuroma)
- Genetic and hereditary factors
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Hearing loss evaluation at our practice includes a comprehensive audiological assessment: pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex testing. These tests determine the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss and guide the appropriate treatment pathway.
Treatment Options
Medical and Surgical Treatment
Conductive hearing loss caused by infection, perforation, or otosclerosis may be treated medically or surgically. Dr. Weiss will evaluate whether intervention can restore hearing to functional levels.
Hearing Aids
For sensorineural or mixed hearing loss that is not surgically reversible, hearing aids remain the gold standard treatment. Our practice offers a complete range of hearing aid styles and technologies. See our Hearing Aids and Hearing Aid Types pages for more information.
Referral for Cochlear Implantation
Patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who receive limited benefit from hearing aids may be candidates for cochlear implantation. Dr. Weiss will conduct a thorough candidacy evaluation and coordinate care with a cochlear implant center when appropriate.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Untreated hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline, social isolation, depression, and reduced occupational performance. Early identification and treatment are essential for maintaining brain health and quality of life. Do not delay — schedule a hearing evaluation today.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you’re struggling to follow conversations or have noticed changes in your hearing, an evaluation is the first step. Call us at (361) 320-6130 or connect with us online to schedule a hearing evaluation.