How Does Hearing Loss Happen
Hearing loss is usually categorized as either sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss but hearing problems can also appear as a mixture of
these two main types. All of them are related to how much or to what degree
the ear can process sound.
As the name suggests, conductive hearing loss refers to the ability or non ability of the outer ear to conduct sound via the ear canal to the middle ear. This condition can often be temporary, for example as a result of a build up of wax in the ear or because the ear has become infected and inflamed. What causes the blocked ability to hear? Well it could be for any number of reasons the most common of which are things like the simple allergy or a cold (we are all familiar with that ‘blocked up’ feeling) which fills the ear with fluid and stops it performing so efficiently. Or the problem could be due to the existence of a benign tumor, a foreign object stuck in the ear or a perforated ear drum or fracture. These are the most common reasons.
In many instances this kind of hearing problem is easily treatable and lsts only a relatively short time. It is always best to get even mild to moderate conductive hearing loss checked by a doctor to get some advice on the best course of treatment.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss then the condition is a little more serious than the case above. ‘Neural’ is to do with nerves and the nerve pathways from the ear to the
brain and ’sensori’ refers to the way the nerve sensors work, or not, as the case may be.
Permanent hearing loss arises as a consequence of irrepairable damage to the inner ear where the cochlea and auditory nerves reside, in contrast to the outer or middle ear which is much more easily dealt with. Although the degree of hearing loss may not be a complete loss the hearing left may nevertheless be of very poor quality and make it almost impossible to understand a normal conversation.
Sometimes this can happen very early in life, as in cases of injury at birth or it may be genetic or occur later as a side effect of certain drugs like the antibiotic streptomycin or high doses of aspirin. Ototoxic hearing loss is the name associated with this condition and its symptoms. Hearing impairment can also come about as a result of contracting a virus or disease such as rubella, meningitis or Meniere’s disease. High intensity noise in the immediate environment can lead to noise-induced hearing loss, whether it is a short sharp burst or sustained over a longer period of time.
It may come about simply as a natural part of the aging process too and in this case the degenerative loss of hearing is categorised as presbycusis.When there is damage to both the outer middle ear and inner cochlea area where the auditory nerve does its work, then this type of hearing impairment is categorised as mixed hearing loss.
Measuring the degree of hearing loss is usually done by testing the threshold at which you can detect sound and this is measured in decibles. Normal hearing is around the 10-15 decible range, whereas profound hearing loss would be be recorded at over 90 decibles.
More tips, advice and information about all types of hearing loss, symptoms, causes and treatment is available at www.conductivehearinglossandtreatments.com
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