Conductive hearing loss can be caused by the following factors:
- Accumulation of ear wax within the ear canal
- Many episodes of middle ear infection (otitis media)
- Chronic infection
- A growth in the middle ear (cholesteatoma)
- An abnormal bone growth near the middle ear (otosclerosis)
People with conductive hearing loss will find soft sounds difficult to hear at all pitches, both low and high.
CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS TREATMENT
There are several types of conductive hearing loss.
Some types of conductive hearing loss can be corrected with hearing aid. If the Corti organ in the cochlea functions normally, hearing aids can help transmit sound in the outer or middle ear.
Other types of conductive hearing loss can be treated medically or surgically.
However, medical procedures may not fully reverse the conductive loss. Therefore, people with conductive hearing loss can often benefit from a hearing aid.
SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
WHAT IS SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS?
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is damage to the inner ear or to the nerves that travel from the ear to the brain.
Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and can make even loud noises sound muffled.
SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS SYMPTOMS
- Reduced sensitivity to soft sounds
- Ability to distinguish among different speech signals may suffer
- Perception of loudness is affected
SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS CAUSES
AGING
Aging is a main cause of all types of hearing loss – and therefore also sensorineural hearing loss. The first signs of progressive hearing loss can be problems in understanding speech in background noise. It tends to develop at the age of about 60 years and onwards.
NOISE EXPOSURE
Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by loud noise exposure, which can lead to damage in the inner ear. We are constantly exposed to sounds, both at work and outside work.
GENETIC CONDITIONS
Genetic sensorineural hearing loss may affect infants from birth or develop later in life.
CONGENITAL AND BIRTH-RELATED HEARING LOSS
Injections during pregnancy, complications during birth, premature birth, and hereditary predispositions can all cause sensorineural hearing loss in newborns.
DRUGS AND MEDICATION
Sensorineural hearing loss can be a side-effect of certain medications and cancer treatments.
SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS TREATMENT
Early treatment is recommended, because sensorineural hearing loss may lead to isolation and reduced quality of life.
This type of hearing loss can rarely be reversed by medical or surgical procedures. Sensorineural hearing loss can often be helped with hearing aids.
The best way to diagnose and treat sensorineural hearing loss is to make an appointment with our audiologist for a hearing evaluation.
Amazing Hearing
There’s no reason to live with untreated hearing loss. Schedule a hearing test with Amazing Hearing, so you can get help as soon as possible. We provide comprehensive hearing health services, from tests to hearing aid fittings. Contact us today to learn more!
