What are the different
types of hearing loss?
Hearing loss is often categorized according to what part
of the auditory system is affected. The three basic types
of hearing loss are Conductive, Sensorineural and Mixed.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
(ASHA):
Conductive Hearing Loss occurs when sound
is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal
to the eardrum and the tiny bones, or ossicles, of the middle
ear. Conductive hearing loss usually involves a reduction
in sound level, or the ability to hear faint sounds. This
type of hearing loss can often be medically or surgically
corrected. Examples of conditions that may cause a conductive
hearing loss include fluid in the middle ear from colds, allergies,
ear infection, perforated eardrum, benign tumors, impacted
earwax, presence of a foreign body or malformation of the
outer ear, ear canal or middle ear.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss occurs when there
is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways
from the inner ear (retrocochlear) to the brain. Sensorineural
hearing loss cannot be medically or surgically corrected.
It is permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss not only involves
a reduction in sound level, or ability to hear faint sounds,
but also affects speech understanding, or ability to hear
clearly. Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by diseases,
birth injury, drugs that are toxic to the auditory system,
and genetic syndromes. Sensorineural hearing loss may also
occur as a result of noise exposure, viruses, head trauma,
aging, and tumors.
A Mixed Hearing Loss exists when conductive
hearing loss occurs in combination with a sensorineural
hearing loss. In other words, there may be damage in the
outer or middle ear and in the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory
nerve.
Is hearing loss different for different people?
Yes. In fact, hearing loss is often said to be like fingerprints
– with no two people having exactly the same hearing.
When evaluating someone’s hearing, there are generally
three considerations – the type of hearing loss, the
degree of hearing loss, and the configuration, or “shape”
of the hearing loss as shown on an audiogram. Differences
in these three attributes will result in different hearing
experiences for each person.
Why do I sometimes hear a “ringing” sound in my
ears?
According to the American Speech, Language, and Hearing
Association (ASHA), tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, has
been experienced by almost everyone at one time or another.
ASHA defines it as “the perception of sound in the head
when no external sound is present. In addition to “ringing”,
head noises have been described as hissing, roaring, pulsing,
whooshing, chirping, whistling and clicking.” The ringing
or other sounds can be perceived in one or both ears, as occurring
inside or outside the ear.
ASHA recommends having a medical exam with special attention
to checking factors associated with tinnitus like stress,
fibromyalgia, medications, diet and allergies and problems
with the auditory system such as ear wax, ear infection or
noise induced hearing loss.
Other causes of tinnitus can be dental in origin such as
tempromandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ. Diet can also increase
the level or intensity of the sound. Things that are reported
to be problematic for people with tinnitus are: caffeinated
beverages, chocolate, salt, spicy food, MSG, alcohol and artificial
sweeteners such as aspartame.
It is important to see an audiologist to determine if hearing
loss is also present with the tinnitus.
Will I automatically lose my hearing as I age?
Although hearing loss affects approximately one in ten people
– in all age groups – the likelihood of developing
hearing loss does increase significantly with age. By 55 years
of age, 25% of people have developed hearing loss. By the
time a person reaches the age of 75, 50% will have some degree
of hearing loss.
Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, actually begins
to develop as early as 18 years old, when humans begin losing
certain sensory cells. However, because this type of hearing
loss is so gradual, most people do not notice until after
the age of 50. Age-related hearing loss generally affects
both ears equally, and tends to make it difficult to hear
the higher frequencies, which can affect one’s ability
to understand speech clearly or to hear common sounds such
as doorbells, the telephone and emergency sirens.
If I get hearing aids, will my hearing be “normal”
again?
Hearing aids DO NOT WORK like glasses, meaning that they
may be helpful, but they cannot restore hearing back to “normal”.
Hearing aids work best in noise-free, one-on-one conversations,
close to the source of the sound. And the extent to which
hearing aids can help a person depends greatly on their type
of hearing loss and the severity.
Can a person really lose their hearing from taking certain
medications?
Yes, there are certain types of medications called “ototoxic”
drugs that have the potential of damaging the inner ear, causing
temporary or permanent hearing loss. Approximately 200 different
medications are considered ototoxic and include some chemotherapy
agents, cardiac medications and antibiotics. Sometimes the
hearing loss is reversible if the medication is discontinued,
but it can also be permanent.
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