Types of hearing loss
There are three basic types of hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss is caused by any problem in the outer or middle ear that interferes with the transmission of sound. This interference can be caused by such things as a large build-up of earwax, infections or growths in the outer ear, holes in the eardrum, a disease called otosclerosis (which causes the ossicles to become fixed and unable to vibrate) or genetic factors. Conductive hearing loss can often be corrected or improved with medical intervention but when that is not possible, hearing instruments can usually help.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the term used to describe problems in the inner ear, either in the cochlea, hearing nerve or auditory pathway (often called nerve deafness). This type of hearing loss can be caused by many things but the most common cause is deterioration of the hair cells in the cochlea due to aging and / or exposure to loud sounds. 90% of all hearing losses are the sensorineural type. This kind of problem can rarely be helped medically but fortunately hearing instruments can help.
Mixed hearing loss is the third type and is simply a combination of conductive and sensorineural problems. Many people with mixed hearing loss are also able to benefit from hearing instruments.
Do you or a loved one have a hearing loss?
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In most cases hearing loss is a gradual process. The average person doesn't even notice it is happening until one day they realise they missed the phone or the doorbell, or family members begin to complain about the volume of the radio and TV. As hearing loss progresses a lot of the sounds of life begin to fade like the rustle of leaves in the breeze, bird song and music isn't as clear as it used to be.
As a person's hearing continues to deteriorate the sound cues of speech are affected. Soft high pitched sound become inaudible and confusion between words starts. Many words sound the same leading to confusion. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal and depression.
The diagram above illustrates the effect that a hearing loss can have. Thoughout the graph are illustrations of different sounds and their intensity and pitch. The graph also highlights the pitch and intensities of sounds in the speech region.
The red (right ear) and blue (left ear) lines represent the softest perceivable sounds that a person with a hearing loss can hear. Below the line is audible and above is in-audible. As you can see, much of the information in the speech region is inaudible causing great difficulty in conversation.
Getting help
Surveys have shown that most people with a significant hearing loss wait several years before finally seeking help. This may be partly due to a reluctance to admit there is a problem, but it is most certainly related to the gradual nature of most hearing loss and the length of time it takes for an individual to realize that a hearing loss exists. When people finally try hearing instruments, they are usually amazed to discover how much they had been missing!
The sooner you become aware that you may have a hearing loss, the sooner you can have a thorough hearing evaluation and begin to benefit from the appropriate treatment.
Call Hearwell-Now today and take the fist steps towards a better lifestyle through better hearing.