Dr. Jordan Glicksman, an otolaryngologist and surgeon at Harvard Medical School, explores an unusual form of hearing impairment known as cookie-bite hearing loss. He provides insight into the susceptibility, symptoms, and potential treatments for this specific type of hearing impairment.
Glicksman explains that "Typically, cookie-bite hearing loss is a genetic condition," adding that "A family history is a risk factor." He further clarifies that "Cookie-bite hearing loss can be congenital or develop over time due to genetics."
Cookie-bite hearing loss, also referred to as mid-range hearing loss, impacts an individual's ability to perceive frequencies between 500 Hz and 2,000 Hz. Those affected by this condition may find it challenging to hear everyday sounds such as speech and music. However, they generally retain the ability to detect most high-frequency and low-frequency noises. The term 'cookie-bite' was coined in reference to the shape of the audiogram associated with this condition. Glicksman elaborates: "It got that name because when a patient with this pattern of hearing loss has an audiogram and the hearing thresholds are graphed, the pattern is a ‘U’ that looks as if someone took a bite out of it," according to a news release from Healthy Hearing.
This type of impairment falls under sensorineural hearing loss, which results from damage to the nerve cells within the inner ear. Causes can range from common factors like genetics to rare conditions such as acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma. Identifying this form of hearing loss can be challenging as it often develops gradually over time. As Glicksman notes: "It’s commonly a mild form of hearing loss." For those suspecting they might be suffering from cookie-bite hearing loss, he recommends requesting an audiogram for diagnosis.
While there is no definitive cure for cookie-bite hearing loss, there are viable treatment options. Glicksman states: "Treatment options depend on how severe the hearing loss is, and how eager someone is to rehabilitate their hearing." One prevalent treatment involves the use of hearing aids to amplify mid-frequency sounds. Another straightforward strategy includes making minor lifestyle adjustments to accommodate the impaired hearing. Glicksman suggests moving closer to a speaker and utilizing lip-reading when words are missed. These two treatment strategies offer simple yet effective ways to manage cookie-bite hearing loss.
