Hearing Loss

Hearing loss does not discriminate. It can affect anyone at any age. It is the third most common health problem in the United States and according to the National Institute on Deafness, it affects approximately 37.5 million people.  There are three main types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural and mixed hearing loss. 

Conductive hearing loss can be described as hearing loss due to sound not being able to travel through the outer or middle ear. This type of hearing loss can be caused by many different medical issues such as fluid in the middle ear,  ear infections (otitis media), eustacian tube dysfunction, ear wax impaction, perforated ear drum, or ossicular (middle ear bones) discontinuity. Most conductive hearing loss can be medically treatable. 

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss and is usually permanent. This type of hearing loss can be caused by damage to the inner ear and/or auditory nerve. Some possible causes of sensorineural hearing loss are: ototoxic drugs, genetic or hereditary hearing loss, aging, exposure to loud noises, malformation of the inner ear, and head trauma.  Most of the time, medicine or surgery cannot correct sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing aids are beneficial for this type of hearing loss. 

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural. Our audiologists will assist in diagnosing the type of hearing loss you are experiencing and develop a specific treatment plan for your hearing needs.

The signs and symptoms of hearing loss can occur gradually or suddenly.  The most common symptoms of hearing loss are:

• difficulty hearing in noisy environments such as restaurants or family gatherings
• require frequent repetition
• difficulty following conversations involving two or more people
• having TV, phone, or radio turned up to a high volume
• complaints of muffled hearing or that others mumble
• social withdrawal as a result of frustration with hearing in noisier settings
• tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• answer or respond inappropriately in conversations

The most common signs of hearing loss in children include:

• frequently inattentive
• fails to respond to conversational speech levels or answers inappropriately to questions
• fails to respond to his or her name
• difficulty hearing in background noise/becomes easily frustrated in noise
• speech delays-limited, poor, or no speech

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (sudden deafness) is when significant hearing loss occurs suddenly and usually in one ear.  It can occur all at once or over a few days. Sudden hearing loss is considered to be a medical emergency and should be treated in a timely manner.