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Hearing loss is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, aging, exposure to loud noises, infections, and diseases. Understanding the different types of hearing loss, their causes, symptoms, and treatments is essential to managing the condition effectively.
The major and quite obvious symptom is not being able to detect sound from the environment. Cases such as conductive hearing loss can be still cured with the help of medication, but there are many other hearing loss types that cannot be cured and lead to other issues such as dementia in old age.
Types of Hearing Loss
There can be different types of hearing problems depending on the symptoms and the causes. Most importantly, hearing loss problems can be categorized into three major types and these are:
– Conductive
– Sensorineural
– Mixed
When you face a hearing problem, the technician will conduct a hearing test to understand whether it is conductive or sensorineural hearing loss and then will offer the required solution suggestion.
Conductive Hearing Loss:
This type of hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer and middle ear. It is usually caused by blockages in the ear canal, perforated eardrums, or damage to the small bones in the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss can often be treated with medication, surgery, or the use of hearing aids.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss:
This type of hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the nerve pathways that transmit sound to the brain. It is usually caused by aging, exposure to loud noises, or certain medications. Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be cured, but it can be managed with the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive devices.
Mixed Hearing Loss:
This type of hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs when there is damage to both the outer and inner ear or the nerve pathways. Mixed hearing loss can be treated with a combination of medication, surgery, and hearing aids.
Causes of Hearing Loss
To understand the causes of hearing loss, it is essential to understand how the whole hearing system work. Sound waves pass through the ear to make the eardrum vibrate. The vibrations reach the inner ear that converts into electric signals passing through tiny hairs in the cochlea. When these signals hit the brain, the brain converts them to sound.
There can be several ways how this system may get interrupted and here are some of the causes:
– Genetics: Some types of hearing loss are hereditary and can be passed down from parents to their children.
– Aging: As we age, our hearing can deteriorate, leading to a gradual loss of hearing.
– Exposure to Loud Noises: Exposure to loud noises over an extended period can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss.
– Infections and Diseases: Infections such as ear infections and diseases such as Meniere’s disease can damage the inner ear and lead to hearing loss.
– Certain Medications: Some medications can damage the inner ear and cause hearing loss as a side effect.
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
Deafness does not come all of a sudden. It is a slow and steady process. But you can understand that you are approaching a problem of hearing loss when you focus on the hearing loss symptoms that you are facing. The symptoms of hearing loss can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:
– Difficulty hearing in noisy environments.
– Difficulty understanding speech, particularly when there is background noise.
– Asking people to repeat themselves often.
– Turning up the volume on the television or radio.
– Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus).
– Feeling like people are mumbling or speaking too quickly.
Diagnosis & Hearing Loss Testing
When you notice hearing loss symptoms, it is essential that you meet a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. The professional may conduct hearing loss testing in different ways:
– Physical exam to check for an infection or earwax
– A whisper test with different volumes to notice reactions to sound
– Application-based hearing tests
– Tuning fork test to check the location of the damage in the ear
– Audiometer test conducted by an audiologist
Treatments for Hearing Loss
Loss of hearing can make life extremely unpleased and it can cause depression-like situations in old age. Hence, it is essential to get a proper solution for hearing loss at the right time. While temporary problems can get cured, for permanent issues, you will have to get options that can help you in managing hearing loss in a better way. Some common options include:
– Earwax Removal: Excessive earwax can block the ear passage leading to temporary hearing loss. An expert will remove the earwax to clear the blockage and restore hearing.
– Hearing Aids: Hearing aids can help amplify sounds and make them easier to hear.
– Cochlear Implants: For people with severe or profound hearing loss, cochlear implants can be used to stimulate the auditory nerve directly.
– Medications: Medications can be used to treat infections or diseases that cause hearing loss.
– Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to remove blockages in the ear canal, repair perforated eardrums, or repair damaged middle ear bones.
– Assistive Devices: Assistive devices such as amplified phones or alerting systems can help people with hearing loss communicate more effectively.
Hearing Loss Complications
Hearing loss can cause several complications in individuals of different ages. Babies facing hearing loss often have to suffer from delayed speech due to a lack of cognitive skills and also delayed walking because of a lack of balance.
Similarly, hearing loss in older people causes issues such as dementia because of deteriorated cognitive skills. Such people also suffer from issues of depression because they stay cut off from others because they feel embarrassed due to their bad communication skills. Also, there is a risk of falling because the balance system is a part of the inner ear and hearing loss may have occurred due to damage in the inner ear.
Prevention From Hearing Loss
Damage to the ears can cause permanent deafness and so, it is essential to ensure the prevention of hearing loss. Here are some eminent tips that one can practice to prevent hearing loss.
– Ear Protection: Loud noise is a common element that causes hearing loss. Hence, one of the essential tips is to ensure protection from such loud noises using options such as glycerine-filled earmuffs or even earplugs.
– Regular hearing Testing: If you cannot avoid working at a place of loud noise, you should ensure regular hearing testing to solve any current issue and avoid any upcoming damage. Also, experts mention that one should have regular hearing testing done after the age of 40 years.
– Be Responsible: Be careful that you don’t hurt your ears while enjoying a sport. Also, make sure that you keep the volume low when you are listening to music either on speaker or on earplugs.
When You Should Call a Hearing Aid Expert?
Hearing loss issues can get resolved in some cases such as through sensorineural hearing loss treatment if you contact the specialist on time. But if the deafness is permanent, you should get in touch with a hearing aid expert to choose from different types of hearing impairment. Global Hearing Aid Center offers not just hearing aids with the latest technology but also hearing testing for patients.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a common condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Understanding the different types of hearing loss, their causes, symptoms, and treatments is essential to managing the condition effectively. If you or someone you know is experiencing hearing loss, it is important to speak with a healthcare.