When it comes to the types and causes of hearing loss, there are many different options. While several factors can contribute to your loss of hearing, some of the most common include noise-induced hearing loss, conductive and mixed hearing loss, and sensorineural hearing loss. If you have any of these types of hearing loss, you should seek a specialist to determine the best treatment option.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Various conditions can result in conductive hearing loss, a specific type of hearing loss. Some of these causes can be prevented, and some can be unavoidable. If you’ve noticed you’re having trouble hearing, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. They can help you determine what’s causing your hearing loss and how to treat it.
If you have conductive hearing loss, you can improve it with a hearing aid with the help of Oticon’s hearing solutions.
Other causes of conductive hearing loss include a middle ear infection, a foreign body in the ear canal, and wax blockage. For example, if your ear becomes infected, you may undergo a micro-suction procedure to remove debris and wax.
In addition, a perforated tympanic membrane or a perforation of the external auditory canal can cause conductive hearing loss. These conditions need to be evaluated in a clinic, and follow-up evaluations will be required after six to eight weeks.
In children, conductive hearing loss can occur from otitis media with effusion, a condition that occurs when an ear infection occurs. It can also result from congenital abnormalities, such as aural atresia when the first branchial arches are not correctly formed.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is a condition that affects the hearing system. It can be caused by various health problems and is often irreversible. Sensorineural hearing loss can affect any part of the hearing system and can be found in adults and children.
Understanding the causes of hearing loss is crucial. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help people with sensorineural hearing loss.
The most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss is noise exposure. Exposure to loud noise can damage the inner ear and cause sensorineural hearing loss. Other causes include genetics, certain drugs, and some diseases.
If you suspect, you may have sensorineural hearing loss, a hearing test can determine the extent of your hearing. Your hearing professional can diagnose your condition and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, you can benefit from a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
A full head and neck exam is recommended for anyone newly diagnosed with hearing loss. In addition to checking for any underlying causes of your hearing loss, a full head and neck examination will also ensure that your hearing is not affected by any other conditions.
A complete audiometric evaluation is a gold standard for evaluating hearing loss. It is usually performed by an audiologist.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss combines conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means it is a combination of both types of hearing loss, with every kind of hearing loss having its own characteristics and symptoms. The best way to know is to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear is damaged. This can be caused by aging, illness, or loud noise. Sensorineural hearing loss may be treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by an object or fluid in the middle ear. These fluids can be caused by allergies, congestion, or infections. Eventually, this fluid can block the auditory tube in the ear, which causes hearing loss.
You might wonder what to expect if you’re suffering from mixed hearing loss. The symptoms are similar to those of other types of hearing loss. However, your treatment will vary depending on the cause.
If you suffer from mixed hearing loss, you may be unable to hear conversational sounds. You may also experience fullness or pressure in one ear. Another indication of mixed hearing loss is strange smells or leaks in your ear canal.
If you’re experiencing mixed hearing loss, you may also experience difficulty discerning certain sounds or frequencies. This could include consonants and soft sounds.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss occurs when your inner ear is damaged. It can happen after short or long-term exposure to noise. Typical symptoms include difficulty understanding others’ speech and ringing in the ears.
The World Health Organization estimates that 12% or more of the global population has hearing loss caused by noise. This includes about 600 million people.
When an individual repeatedly exposes their inner ear to sounds at least 85 dB, the cells in the cochlea become damaged. Free calcium in the outer hair cells triggers necrotic cell death pathways.
Eventually, the cochlea loses its ability to transmit sounds. NIHL is not reversible. However, the rate of hearing loss decreases with an increasing hearing threshold.
The most important way to prevent noise-induced hearing loss is to limit your exposure to loud noise. Wearing ear protection is also essential.
In addition, you should have your hearing checked regularly. Regular checkups will help you detect noise-induced hearing loss before it becomes too severe.
If you work in an environment with continuous loud noises, it’s essential to wear ear protection. Repeated exposures can damage your hearing and cause permanent hearing loss.
Research has shown that noise-induced hearing loss is caused by external and internal factors. Genetics can determine whether you are at risk.
