What is a hearing loss?

Signs:

While hearing loss is sometimes sudden, it is often gradual and you may not notice it at first. It's important to spot hearing loss as soon as possible because treatment is often more beneficial if started early

General signs of hearing loss

• difficulty hearing clearly or understanding speech
• asking people to repeat themselves
• listening to music or watching television with the volume tu ed up high
• difficulty hearing the telephone ring or doorbell
• feeling stressed to closely concentrate on speech in noisy places
• concentrating on lip reading to better understand speech

Types:

• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: occurs if the sensitive hair cells inside the cochlea are damaged, or as a result of damage to the auditory nerve (the nerve that transmits sound to brain). In some cases, both may be damaged.

• Conductive Hearing Loss: occurs when sounds are unable to pass into the inner ear. This is usually due to problems in the outer or middle ear.

• Mixed Hearing Loss: A combination of sensorineural and conductive loss

Causes:

Sensorineural hearing lossis permanent and hearing aids are often required to improve hearing in these cases. It can be caused by:

• Genetic hearing loss – some people may be bo deaf or become deaf over time due to a genetic abnormality, although there is not always a family history
• Viral infections of the inner ear, such as measles
• Viral infections of the auditory nerve, such as rubella
• Ménière's disease – a disorder that causes vertigo- a sensation of a spinning motion-along with fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in the ear
• Acoustic neuroma – a non-cancerous (benign) growth on or near the auditory nerve
• Meningitis – an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord
• Stroke – where the blood supply to the brain is cut off or interrupted
• Some medications, such as certain chemotherapy medicines and certain antibiotics which can damage the cochlea and the auditory nerve.

Conductive hearing lossis usually temporary and it can often be treated with medication or minor surgery. It can be caused by:

• Blockage of ear canal by excessive wax
• A build-up of fluid in the ear (glue ear), or an ear infection.
• Otosclerosis – an abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear which causes the inner hearing bone (the stapes) to be less mobile and less effective at transmitting sound
• Damage to the hearing bones from injury, a collapsed ear drum or conditions such as Cholesteatoma (an abnormal collection of skin cells inside your ear)

Degree: