You hate it when people don't talk to you face to face because it's rude and they sound muffled. But manners aside, you might be suffering from hearing loss.

Possible signs of hearing loss are:

  • Your family members complain that the TV volume is too loud.
  • You blast your MP3 player to hear the lyrics clearly.
  • You ask people to repeat themselves.
  • You give the wrong answers because you misunderstand the questions.
  • You renounced your clubbing ways because you can't hear what your friends yell above the din.
  • There's ringing in your ears.

Hearing loss is the total or partial inability to hear sound in one or both ears. It usually develops gradually over the years. As it is painless, you may not realise what's happening until the damage is done.

Dr Low Wong Kein, Visiting Consultant from the Department of Otolaryngology at Singapore General Hospital, gives detailed answers to your questions.

Question by littlelow

Hi Prof. Low,

Is it true, there isn't a cure for Tinnius (ringing in ear)? What cause the ring? I have lived with it for past 4 yrs. I went for MRI scan and good news, no abnormal tumor. Sometimes, the ring can be loud especially in quiet mood, bed time. I don't listen loud music nor mp3 with ear piece. I'm now 38 yrs old, will I have hearing loss as I aged? Any advice?

Thanks
Low

Answered by A/Prof Low Wong Kein Senior Consultant Director, Centre for Hearing & Ear Implants Department of Otolaryngology Singapore General Hospital

It is often difficult to get ride of tinnitus, especially if it is long-standing. It is due to some “irritation”, somewhere along the auditory pathway. It could be due to something as simple as impacted wax or ear infections.

However, nothing obvious in the ear could be found in many patients – a lot of research is currently being done in this area. Although it may not be possible to get rid of it, it is almost always possible not to let it affect you in a significant way. Your doctor has excluded some serious causes after a MRI scan.

Try not to focus on the tinnitus. Avoid extreme quiet environmental situations eg listening to some soft soothing background music in a quiet night. Although it does not necessarily progress to hearing loss, many elderly persons will experience age-related hearing deterioration anyway.

Question by michelle goh

Hi Prof Low

I have a nerve problem on my right ear (as diagnosed by a Professor - forgot his name during my annual check-up at the Ministry of Health during my primary school days). Please advise whether I need to go for a second opinion and also whether there is a cure and also how to take proper care of my good ear. I am 33 years of age and do not go the noisy places etc.

Thank you.
Michelle

Answered by A/Prof Low Wong Kein Senior Consultant Director, Centre for Hearing & Ear Implants Department of Otolaryngology Singapore General Hospital

I believe you mean sensori-neural hearing loss. Although it is possible to be due to abnormalities of the hearing nerve, it is more commonly due to a problem in the inner ear.

In your case, it may well be a congenital condition (born with it). That being the case, it may be genetic in nature. In sensori-neural hearing loss, the hearing usually cannot be physiologically restored. However, there are hearing devices available that might be helpful. Avoidance of excessively loud noise, especially over prolonged periods of time, is a practical preventive measure.

Question by don

Prof Low,

I am suffering from deafness, tinnitus and vertigo over 14 years. In 2009, I suffered a hearing loss. (In 2005, I also had hearing loss, which I did go to TTSH for Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy and it did recovered my hearing. I did not go again as I had no budget for the treatment). Now no hearing aid will help and I say no to cochlear implant as I am no comfortable with silicone.

Is there a therapy for tinnitus and vertigo? I have been to SGH but none of them can help with these two.

I suspect that I'm having meniere's disease but none of the doctors opinion that I have one.

Last question. Will there be stem cells therapy for hearing loss as scientist like Dr Rivolta and Dr Heller are in the progress of making such therapy in a fews years time or will there be one in singapore?

Answered by A/Prof Low Wong Kein Senior Consultant Director, Centre for Hearing & Ear Implants Department of Otolaryngology Singapore General Hospital

For vertigo, certain medications may help control it. In some patients with recurrent severe vertigo which could not be controlled by dietary control (low salt/caffeine) and medication, vestibular ablation therapy may be considered.

This may involve injections into the middle ear or surgery or some form of surgery. Please refer to my comments on tinnitus in other sections.

There is currently also much research in this field. Although there has been some progress made in the laboratory animals, I do not anticipate the availability of something safe and effective for human use anytime soon.

Question by DL

I have been suffering from loss of hearing for the past 10 years. I am using hearing aid now but unfortunately, it always create a hissing sound, which make hearing very irritating.

What are the other method that I can consider ?

My left ear was punctured before, I am concerned whether implant still help in improving my hearing ? Please advice the estimate cost if you can.

Thank You
DL

Answered by A/Prof Low Wong Kein Senior Consultant Director, Centre for Hearing & Ear Implants Department of Otolaryngology Singapore General Hospital

Some patients find certain forms of tinnitus treatment beneficial such as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. There is a Tinnitus Clinic at our SGH ENT Centre that offers this type of treatment.

We have to check the condition of the hearing aid and establish if it is in working condition and suitable for your current hearing levels. An Audiologist may need to fine tune the hearing aid if possible. If we know the nature and degree of your hearing loss we can recommend other hearing technology such as middle ear implant or a cochlear implant. The cost varies depending on the type of implant prescribed.

Question by ongo88

Hello Prof Low

I am female, age 63 a retiree.

I have hearing loss and have even tried on a demo hearing aid. However, it does not give me 100% satisfaction, as I am still unable to hear the news or even the priest delivering his homily in church.

Due to these two set backs I am wondering if I really should purchase a pair of hearing aids which is quite expensive and it is 16 channels.

Are there any other options open to me, would appreciate your advice.

Thank You.
Margaret

Answered by A/Prof Low Wong Kein Senior Consultant Director, Centre for Hearing & Ear Implants Department of Otolaryngology Singapore General Hospital

Firstly, we need to establish the nature and degree of your hearing loss. An Audiologist can prescribe and program a suitable hearing aid to meet your hearing needs. An Assistive Listening Device coupled to a hearing aid would be helpful in addressing your specific listening needs.

Another perspective is to optimize your listening environment. An important aspect is to effectively educate people around you on how to go about doing it.

We have recently published a handbook entitled: The Hearing Impaired Person: Tips for Caregivers & School Teachers.

I believe the Book will be very useful. It can be purchased from the publisher: SingHealth Academy, email at ​​publishing@singhealth.com.sg​

Ref: V10