Post-lingual deafness

Post-lingual deafness is a type of hearing loss that occurs after the acquisition of language, which can be due to disease, trauma, or an unknown cause. This type of deafness is different from pre-lingual deafness, where the hearing loss is present before the child learns to speak.

Causes

Post-lingual deafness can be caused by a number of factors, including:

• Disease: Certain diseases, such as meningitis, measles, mumps, and syphilis, can lead to post-lingual deafness.
• Trauma: Physical trauma to the ear or head can result in hearing loss.
• Age: Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a common cause of post-lingual deafness.
• Noise exposure: Long-term exposure to loud noise can cause damage to the ear and lead to hearing loss.

Symptoms

The symptoms of post-lingual deafness can vary depending on the cause and severity of the hearing loss. Some common symptoms include:

• Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
• Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Difficulty hearing on the telephone

Treatment

Treatment for post-lingual deafness depends on the cause and severity of the hearing loss. Options may include:

• Hearing aids: These devices amplify sound and can be helpful for many people with post-lingual deafness.
• Cochlear implants: These are surgically implanted devices that can help provide a sense of sound to people who are severely deaf or hard-of-hearing.
• Assistive listening devices: These include telephone amplifying devices, smartphone apps, and other technologies that can help people with hearing loss.

See also

• Pre-lingual deafness
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus
• Cochlear implant