Surgical approaches are indicated for patients with obstructive lesions of the external auditory canal and remedial causes of conductive hearing loss. Stapedectomy is the most common surgical intervention for otosclerosis. Cochlear implants are of value to patients with profound sensorineural deafness for whom a conventional hearing aid is not feasible. A change in medical treatments may be indicated for patients who experience sensorineural hearing loss. Most patients with sensorineural or cochlear disease will benefit from aural rehabilitation.
Hearing aids remain the usual treatment of patients with sensorineural hearing loss.
A variety of devices are available, including programmable hearing aids and amplification circuits that reduce distortion. Hearing aids may fit entirely within the external auditory canal or fit over the patient's earlobe. Assistive listening devices are useful for patients who won't use a hearing aid or in environments with significant background noise. Assistive devices include television listening systems, alerting devices, telephone amplifiers, large-area amplification systems, and remote microphone systems. Remote microphone systems with headsets can be purchased at radio supply stores.