Sensorineuaral Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. More than 90 percent of all hearing aid wearers have sensorineural hearing loss, resulting from problems in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Inner ear hair cell damage is the most common reason for sensorineural hearing loss. These tiny hair cells, once damaged or destroyed, become unable to convert sound vibrations in to the electrical signals needed by the auditory nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss can be attributed to long-term occupational or recreational exposure to loud noise. It also commonly occurs in the later decades of life and is called Presbycusis. People with sensorineural hearing loss typically report they can hear people speak, but can’t understand what they’re saying. It often seems to them that people are “mumbling.” Usually there is no medical way to correct this, but hearing aids often help.
Conductive Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss is caused by problems in the ear canal and/or the structures in the middle ear. It occurs when sounds from the outside world cannot be transmitted normally through the ear canal and/or middle ear to the inner ear. The most common causes of conductive hearing loss can be a buildup of wax in the ear canal, a perforated eardrum, fluid in the middle ear (common in children), or damaged or defective ossicles (middle ear bones). A person with conductive hearing loss may notice their ears seem to be full or plugged. Most conductive hearing losses can be medically or surgically treated. If for some reason the hearing loss cannot be corrected, hearing instruments can provide benefit.
Mixed Hearing Loss: This kind of hearing loss is caused by a combination of problems in the middle and the inner ear or the auditory nerve. For example, the person may have a noise induced hearing loss from noise exposure and a perforation in the eardrum. The combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss is therefore, mixed.
Presbycusis Hearing Loss: Age related hearing loss, or 'presbycusis,' occurs when the sound receptors inside the cochlea (inner ear organ) break down. This is an irreversible process. The ability to hear high pitched sounds is affected first. High pitches are responsible for clarity of speech. Individuals with high pitch hearing loss have trouble hearing in noise and often feel that they have trouble understanding, or that people mumble.
Hearing Loss is usually a gradual change in hearing sensitivity over a period of years. Because it occurs so slowly, it often times goes undetected until later in life.
The following is a list of common signs of hearing loss:
• Difficulty hearing in noisy situations
• Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
• Asking people to repeat themselves
• You can hear but can’t always understand the words
• Need to have TV turned up louder than normal
Family or friends may notice that you are having difficulty hearing before you do. Talk to them about how they think you are hearing and then ask them to join you for a hearing test.
A sudden change in hearing can occur due to exposure to a loud sound or a medical emergency. If you experience a sudden change in hearing, see an Audiologist as soon as possible.
The Smallest Bones in the Human Body are the Bones for Hearing. In lay-terms: The Hammer, Anvil and Stirrup.
Hearing loss is categorized by the degree, or severity, of the hearing loss. Hearing is measured in decibels (dB) and the smaller the number the better the hearing.
• Normal – 0-25 dB…Can hear in all normal situations
• Mild – 25-40 dB…May have trouble hearing soft spoken words
• Moderate – 40-70 dB…May have difficulty hearing some things
• Severe – 70-90 dB…Will have difficulty hearing most things
• Profound – 90 dB +…Significant impairment in hearing
Personal Impact of Hearing Loss:
Hearing loss can cause concern in the personal well-being of an individual. Common concerns include:
• Poor interpersonal relationships with family
• Inability to compensate for the hearing loss
• Discrimination or negative attitudes from other people
• Increase in anger and frustration
• Increase in depression and other depressive symptoms
• Reduced emotional stability
• Increase in introverted behavior
• Avoidance of social situations]
• Increased paranoid feelings
• Decreased in overall health
• Increased Risk of Dementia