Central Auditory Dysfunctions

Very much related to neural hearing loss are central auditory dysfunctions, which involve the main auditory nerve, the VII cranial nerve, and the brain in general. Dysfunctions in this region associated with hearing loss are sometime detectable, but, unless they are tumorous, cannot be rectified and so hearing loss or even deafness that results is usually permanent.

As for the symptoms suggestive of central auditory dysfunctions, ear ringing (or tinnitis) and total hearing loss are the two primary effects. The first can develop through the progression toward hearing loss and are indicative of nerve abnormalities. The total loss of hearing suggests an alarming state of irreparability due to anomalies related to severe nerve or even brain damage. Therefore, a delayed response or no response at all to sound or speech tests is the surefire sign that dysfunctions are at work in the central auditory portion of the hearing tract.

As is the case with neural hearing loss, the causes of central auditory dysfunctions are brought on intrinsic or hereditary abnormalities that can be seen in a patient’s parents, siblings, grandparents; congenital effects, too, might initiate dysfunctional behavior, such as undeveloped or missing auditory or VIII cranial nerve; head trauma, such as the kind resulting from sports or automobile accidents; overexposure noise exceeding 90 or 100 decibels; tumors; serious diseases related to the eyes, respiration, or the nervous system, such as the Flu, Mumps, Measles, Syphilis, Meningitis, Autoimmune disease, and Wegener’s Granulomatosis; and aging, as in the case of permanent hearing loss in the elderly. As a matter of fact, elderly hearing loss is indigenous to central auditory dysfunctions, as deterioration occurs as one grows older.

Treatment of dysfunctions associated with the central auditory nervous system and the brain are pretty much nil, since damage or deterioration in those places have no cure—other than tumors, which sometimes can be removed. In most cases, dysfunctional conditions and he hearing loss that has come about are life-lasting. An Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI) can sometimes improve hearing performance, but not always with 100% success rate in every case. Unfortunately, successful results of any degree sometimes don’t develop at all. This is a fact of life for many, especially in their senior years, but life can still be happy and satisfying.

One way that communication can be facilitated for the hard-of-hearing and the deaf is the use of telecommunication instruments that are especially designed for hearing deficiency. Amplified telephones, text messages, blinking lights, vibration devices, and earphones all make interacting easy.

Central auditory dysfunctions that affect hearing are not typically dangerous, unless that are related to tumors or fatal diseases. The loss of hearing itself, however, although psychologically stressful, can accommodate so that life can continue with enjoyment.