What is Hearing Loss?

Understanding Hearing Loss

If you think you may have a hearing loss, you are in good company. The fact is, 17 percent of all adult Americans struggle with some degree of hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). That’s 36 million people in the U.S. suffering from hearing loss right now!

Hearing can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Therefore, if you are losing your hearing, you are not able to fully appreciate life.

If you or one of your loved ones fall into that category, it’s important that you understand what is happening. Here are some of the basics of hearing loss:

 

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss
In the case of Conductive hearing loss, sound is impaired in the outer and/or middle ear. This usually results in reduced sound levels and the loss of faint sounds. Common causes may include ear infections, earwax, fluid in the middle ear from a cold, among other diseases and disorders. The most common treatments are medical and surgical for this type of loss, but in some cases hearing aids can be effective alternatives.

 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss
When there is failure to fully or accurately transmit sound through the inner ear (cochlea) or along the neural pathways, this is called Sensorineural hearing loss. Usually the cause of this failure is damage to the interior workings of the cochlea.

 

Sound vibrations are funneled from the other ear, through the middle ear, and into the cochlea, where they pass over and stimulate minute hair cells. When damaged, these hair cells cannot accurately convert sound vibrations into the neuro-electrical impulses that travel through the auditory nerve to the brain. The result is a reduction in perception and interpretation of the hearing impulses. This decrease in hearing sensitivity is typically treated by carefully targeting sound amplification with hearing aids to compensate for damaged hair cells.

 

Causes of Sensorineural hearing loss can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (after birth). Congenital causes might include: infections, prematurity, hereditary factors, or birth trauma. Acquired causes include: overexposure to noise, ear infections, head injury, disease (like meningitis or encephalitis), or a negative side effect of some drugs.

 

Mixed Hearing Loss

This is just what it sounds like: a mixture of Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss. This type of loss occurs when one type of loss is present and damage occurs to another part of the ear, causing both types to be present at the same time. Treatments for this type of hearing loss usually include medical and surgical procedures, but in some cases hearing aids can be effective as well.

 

Tinnitus
Sometimes there is a ringing in the ears or a constant buzzing that is associated with hearing loss. This constant sound is called “tinnitus” (pronounced either ti-NIGHT-is or TIN-i-tus. Both pronunciations are correct). Tinnitus does not always occur with hearing loss, but they are often associated. While the exact cause of this condition is unknown at this time, there are several known ways to either mask or manage this constant sound.

Especially when tinnitus accompanies hearing loss, the use of hearing aids has provided relief for some tinnitus patients. When the hearing loss is in the same frequency range as the tinnitus, hearing aids help bring in the ambient sounds that naturally cover the constant ringing. To learn more about tinnitus and the role hearing aids play in managing it, call an AccuQuest Hearing Center near you at 1-888-912-5566.

Signs and Symptoms

While the causes, types, and degrees of hearing loss vary, the symptoms of hearing loss are essentially the same. People with hearing loss typically answer “yes” to the questions below. Please take a moment to ask yourself the same questions:

 

• Do I hear, but have a difficult time understanding?
• Do I hear sounds, but have trouble distinguishing words?
• Do I frequently have to ask people to repeat themselves?
• Do I have difficulty understanding conversations in restaurants and meetings?
• Does my hearing keep me from enjoying good times with friends and family?
• Am I embarrassed by my hearing difficulties?
• Do I have to turn up the volume when watching TV?
• Do I have particular trouble hearing the voices of women and children?
• Do I have trouble hearing in movies, concerts, church, and group conversations?

 

If you answered "yes" to at least two of these questions, you may have a hearing loss. We invite you to schedule a complimentary hearing evaluation with one of our hearing professionals to determine the extent of your loss and identify a treatment program.

 

The technology available to help people overcome hearing loss is more advanced than ever, and our procedures for identifying areas of loss and for fitting instruments to compensate for the loss are more accurate than ever. Don’t struggle with the effects of untreated hearing loss any more. Call 1-888-912-5566 and rediscover one of life’s greatest pleasures.