Hearing plays a vital role in communication, learning, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. When hearing loss affects both ears, known as bilateral hearing loss, the impact can be profound. Unlike hearing loss in one ear, bilateral hearing loss significantly interferes with speech understanding, sound localization, and social interaction. If left untreated, it can lead to developmental delays in children and cognitive decline in adults.
At Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, advanced diagnostic and treatment options are available for patients with hearing impairment, including Cochlear Implant Surgery in Delhi, offering hope to individuals with severe to profound bilateral hearing loss.
What Is Bilateral Hearing Loss?
Bilateral hearing loss refers to a condition where both ears experience reduced hearing ability. It can range from mild to profound and may occur suddenly or gradually over time. This condition affects people of all age groups—from newborns and children to adults and the elderly.
Bilateral hearing loss can be:
Understanding the underlying cause is essential for choosing the right treatment approach.
Common Causes of Bilateral Hearing Loss
Some individuals are born with hearing loss due to inherited genetic conditions or complications during pregnancy. Congenital bilateral hearing loss is one of the leading causes in newborns and infants.
As people age, gradual damage to the inner ear structures can cause bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. This is common in older adults and often worsens over time.
Continuous exposure to loud sounds—such as industrial noise, traffic, or headphones at high volume—can damage both ears equally, leading to permanent hearing loss.
Conditions such as meningitis, measles, mumps, chronic ear infections, and viral illnesses can affect both ears and damage hearing mechanisms.