What’s the difference between hearing loss and vision loss?
A common misconception is that hearing and vision loss are the same things or that they are at least closely related. Yet while both involve a loss of senses, the two are actually markedly different.The main difference between these two types of sensory loss is that, while vision can often be repaired or even completely restored, modern medicine has yet to find a permanent way to restore hearing loss.
What does vision loss involve?
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common form of vision loss is refractive disorders such as farsightedness and near sightedness. These disorders can be corrected with eye surgeries or prescription lenses, and often result in complete vision restoration. Here lies the biggest distinction between vision and hearing difficulties[Centre for Disease Control and Prevention].
What makes hearing loss more complicated than vision loss?
The tiny hair cells along our ear canal are responsible for our brain’s perception of sound. When these hair cells are damaged, whether by noise or age, it is impossible to restore them as they don’t grow back once they are lost. This is part of what makes hearing loss an immensely complicated issue, one that scientists are still working on. The good news, however, is that medicine has already made some huge strides when it comes to the treatment of hearing loss.
The hearing aid technology of today is incredibly efficient and can help sufferers of hearing loss hear clearly again. It is, however, important to get any hearing problems seen to quickly, as the longer they are left untreated, the higher the likelihood of permanent damage.
Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Common Eye Disorders.