Have you ever bought one of those “one size fits all” t-shirts only to be dismayed (and shocked) when the shirt does not, in fact, fit as advertised? That’s truly aggravating. The fact is that there’s almost nothing in the world that is really a “one size fits all”. That’s not only true with clothing, it’s also true with medical conditions like hearing loss. This can be accurate for numerous reasons.
So what are the most prevalent kinds of hearing loss and what are their causes? Well, that’s precisely what we intend to explore.
Hearing loss comes in different kinds
Everybody’s hearing loss situation will be as individual as they are. Perhaps when you’re in a crowded restaurant you can’t hear that well, but when you’re at work, you hear just fine. Or perhaps you only have problems with high-pitched voices or low-pitched sounds. There are numerous forms that your hearing loss can take.
The root cause of your hearing loss will dictate how it manifests. Because your ear is a fairly complex little organ, there are lots of things that can go wrong.
How your hearing works
Before you can totally understand how hearing loss works, or what degree of hearing loss requires a hearing aid, it’s practical to consider how things are supposed to work, how your ear is usually supposed to work. Check out this breakdown:
- Outer ear: This is the part of the ear that you can see. It’s the initial sound receiver. Sounds are efficiently guided into your middle ear for further processing by the shape of your outer ear.
- Middle ear: The eardrum and several tiny bones are what your middle ear is composed of (Yes, there are some tiny little bones in there).
- Inner ear: Your stereocilia are found hear. Vibration is detected by these little hairs which are then transformed into electrical signals. Your cochlea plays a role in this also. Our brain then receives these electrical signals.
- Auditory nerve: This nerve directs these electrical signals to the brain.
- Auditory system: All of the components listed above, from your brain to your outer ear, are elements of your “auditory system”. It’s important to recognize that all of these components are continually working together and in unison with each other. Usually, in other words, the entire system will be impacted if any one part has problems.
Hearing loss varieties
Because there are multiple parts of your auditory system, there are (as a result) multiple forms of hearing loss. The underlying cause of your hearing loss will determine which type of hearing loss you develop.
The prevalent types of hearing loss include:
- Conductive hearing loss: This form of hearing loss occurs because there’s a blockage somewhere in the auditory system, often in the outer or middle ear. Usually, this blockage is caused by fluid or inflammation (when you have an ear infection, for example, this usually happens). Sometimes, conductive hearing loss can be caused by a growth in the ear canal. Usually, with conductive hearing loss, your hearing will go back to normal once the blockage is gone.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: When the tiny hairs that detect sound, called stereocilia, are damaged by loud sound they are usually destroyed. Normally, this is a chronic, progressive and irreversible type of hearing loss. Because of this, people are usually encouraged to avoid this kind of hearing loss by using ear protection. If you have sensorineural hearing loss, it can still be treated by devices such as hearing aids.
- Mixed hearing loss: It sometimes happens that somebody will experience both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss simultaneously. Because the hearing loss is coming from numerous different places, this can sometimes be difficult to treat.
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: ANSD is a fairly rare condition. When sound is not properly transmitted from your ear to your brain, this kind of hearing loss happens. ANSD can normally be treated with a device known as a cochlear implant.
The desired results are the same even though the treatment option will differ for each form of hearing loss: to improve or maintain your ability to hear.
Hearing loss kinds have variations
And that isn’t all! We can break down and categorize these common types of hearing loss even more specifically. Here are some examples:
- Pre-lingual or post-lingual: Hearing loss is called pre-lingual when it develops before you learned to talk. Hearing loss is post-lingual when it develops after you learned to talk. This will impact the way hearing loss is treated.
- Symmetrical or asymmetrical: This tells you whether your hearing loss is the same in both ears or unequal in both ears.
- Progressive or sudden: You have “progressive” hearing loss if it gradually worsens over time. Hearing loss that erupts or presents instantly is known as “sudden”.
- High frequency vs. low frequency: You may have more difficulty hearing high or low-frequency sounds. Your hearing loss can then be categorized as one or the other.
- Acquired hearing loss: Hearing loss that develops due to outside forces (like damage).
- Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss: It’s possible to develop hearing loss in one ear (unilateral), or in both (bilateral).
- Congenital hearing loss: Hearing loss you were born with.
- Fluctuating or stable: If your hearing loss has a tendency to come and go, it may be referred to as fluctuating. If your hearing loss remains at roughly the same levels, it’s known as stable.
If that seems like a lot, it’s because it is. But your hearing loss will be more successfully treated when we’re able to use these categories.
Time to have a hearing exam
So how can you tell which of these classifications applies to your hearing loss situation? Self-diagnosis of hearing loss isn’t, regrettably, something that’s at all accurate. For instance, is your cochlea functioning properly, how would you know?
But that’s what hearing tests are for! Your loss of hearing is sort of like a “check engine” light. We can hook you up to a wide variety of machines, and help identify what type of hearing loss you have.
So give us a call today and make an appointment to find out what’s going on.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/types-of-hearing-loss/