What is Hearing Loss?....

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Hearing loss can occur at any age. It is develops very slowly and with no pain. Usually people around the person notice the loss of hearing before they are aware of it. There are three parts to the human ear: the outer, middle, and inner. Sound occurs...the sound wave vibrations are passed through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. The inner ear than converts the nerve impulses which are then transmitted to the brain.

Conductive hearing loss results from obstruction or disease of the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss is often temporary and can usually be treated.

Damage to the inner ear results in sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is almost always permanent and normally caused by high fever, disease, excessive noise exposure, heredity or the normal aging process.

Sensorineural hearing loss, referred to as "nerve deafness" is often treatable with the use of hearing instruments.

• Conductive Hearing Loss: sound is not conducted to the inner ear from the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss is often temporary and can usually be treated medically.
  
• Otosclerosis: this is a type of conductive hearing loss. The tiny bones of the middle ear do not properly transmit sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: the inner ear does not transmit sound properly to the brain. The tiny hair cells of the inner ear have been damaged due to age, noise or medication. They can no longer pick up sounds. This loss is permanent because the hair cells do not grow back.
• Presbycusis: the ability to hear high frequency sound deteriorates. It is the most common kind of sensorineural hearing loss and comes with aging.
• Mixed Hearing Loss: a combination of conductive loss and sensorineural.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

• Straining to hear conversations
• A feeling that you can hear, but cannot understand
• Thinking people are mumbling
• Asking people to repeat themselves, even in quiet settings
• Confusing people's words
• Finding it necessary to watch people's faces in order to understand what they are saying
• Difficulty hearing softer sounds such as birds singing and water running
• Increasing the volume of your radio or television to the point that it irritates others
• Avoiding certain activities because it is too difficult to hear
• Chronic ear infections, "ringing" in the ears, or dizziness
• Family history of diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, poor circulation or hearing loss

Regular hearing evaluations are important for everyone, not just those who think they may have a hearing loss. If you suspect you have a hearing loss, the first step is to consult your Audibel hearing professional for a hearing evaluation.