Treating Hearing Loss in Poway, CA

Waking up to a baby’s cry. Hearing a grandchild speak. Chatting with friends over dinner in a restaurant. Even mild hearing loss can have a profound impact on your relationships and quality of life. Hearing loss often develops gradually with age, making it easy to overlook until communication becomes difficult, but in some cases, it can occur suddenly and dramatically.

At Rancho Ear, Nose & Throat, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all types of hearing loss with advanced technology and compassionate, personalized care. Our experienced team helps patients regain clarity, connection, and confidence through comprehensive audiology and hearing care services.

What is Hearing Loss?

The mechanisms behind hearing loss are complex but can be reduced to very simplistic concepts of whether or not there is a problem with sound getting in, or if there is a problem with the nerve picking up the sound that is delivered by the ear.

Hearing functions with basically four parts:

There is the outer ear which acts as a funnel to bring sound in.
There is the ear drum and middle ear space which acts as an amplifier and transducer to turn vibrations in the air into fluid waves that can be detected by the tiny inner ear hairs of the fluid-filled nerve of the ear (inner ear).
The inner ear nerve transduces the fluid wave vibrations and turns them into electrical signals which then go to the brain and brain stem.
The brain stem and brain process the sound signals from the ear into a signal that we can interpret as sound at the level of the brain cortex.

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can result from a wide range of factors, including infections, injuries, long-term noise exposure, and the natural aging process. In general, hearing loss is divided into two main types: sensorineural (nerve-related) and conductive (sound transmission–related) hearing loss.

Sensorineural (Nerve-Related) Hearing Loss

This is the most common type of hearing loss and occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve cannot effectively transmit sound signals to the brain.

Common causes include:

Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss): Over time, the delicate hair cells in the inner ear wear down, much like joints that lose flexibility with age. Years of sound exposure and natural aging cause these cells to bend or break, reducing their ability to detect sound clearly.
Viral or Infectious Damage: Infections can inflame or damage the nerve of the inner ear.
Tumors or Growths: Masses pressing on the auditory nerve can disrupt hearing.
Trauma: Head or ear injuries can harm the inner ear’s structures.
Ototoxic Medications: Certain drugs can damage the ear’s nerve cells.
Autoimmune Disorders: The body’s own immune system may attack the inner ear.

Unfortunately, nerve-related hearing loss is usually permanent, though many patients can regain hearing function and quality of life with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot properly reach a healthy inner ear or nerve. This often carries a much better prognosis and can frequently be corrected.

Common causes include:

Earwax Blockage: A buildup of wax can block sound from reaching the eardrum.
Fluid or Pressure in the Middle Ear: Often caused by colds, allergies, or infections. In children, this is one of the most common hearing issues and is often treated with medication or ear tubes to improve drainage.
Injury or Infection: Trauma or infection can damage the tiny bones that transmit sound. In many cases, this can be surgically repaired.
Otosclerosis: A genetic condition that prevents normal vibration of the ear bones. Treatment may include hearing aids or surgical replacement of the affected bones with a prosthesis to restore sound transmission.

Diagnosing Hearing Loss

Accurately identifying the cause of hearing loss requires careful evaluation by a qualified ENT specialist. Your initial assessment includes:

A physical examination of the ears
Hearing test or audiogram

An audiogram provides essential information that helps distinguish between nerve-related and conductive hearing loss, guiding your treatment plan.

Hearing Loss Treatments

At Rancho ENT, nearly all ear evaluations begin with a hearing test, conducted either with tuning forks or by one of our licensed audiologists. This helps identify whether the problem lies in sound transmission or nerve function.

Once the results are reviewed, your physician will:

Explain the cause of your hearing loss
Discuss all available treatment options
Work with you to select the best plan for your needs

Treatment may include:

Medication or minor procedures for infections or fluid buildup
Surgery to repair damage to the ear’s structures
Hearing aids to help restore sound perception
Pressure equalization tubes
Cochlear implant evaluation for patients with severe hearing loss.

At Rancho Ear, Nose & Throat, we believe in empowering our patients through education. We take the time to explain each option clearly, so you can make the most informed decision about your care.

Hear the Sounds You Love Again with Hearing Loss Treatment in Poway, CA

If you have questions about your hearing, please contact us at Rancho Ear, Nose and Throat. We are also proud to collaborate with our sister practice, Advanced Hearing Solutions, to provide our expert hearing testing services and hearing aid fittings for patients who may benefit from them. Advanced Hearing Solutions takes pride in making sure our patients’ hearing aids are precisely adjusted and receive the appropriate ongoing care they need to ensure your optimal hearing outcome.

Call us today at 858-674-1165 to schedule a appointment. 

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Our Office Locations

858-674-9841

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5pm

Rancho Ear, Nose and Throat

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