Have you ever purchased one of those “one size fits all” t-shirts only to be dismayed (and surprised) when the shirt doesn’t, in fact, fit as advertised? It’s sort of a bummer, right? The truth is that there’s almost nothing in the world that is really a “one size fits all”. That’s true with t-shirts and it’s also relevant with medical conditions, like hearing loss. There can be numerous reasons why it occurs.
So what’s the cause of hearing loss? And what is the most prevalent kind of hearing loss? Let’s see what we can find out!
Hearing loss comes in different kinds
Because hearing is such a complex cognitive and physical process, no two people’s hearing loss will be precisely the same. Maybe you hear just fine at the office, but not in a crowded restaurant. Or perhaps you only have trouble with high-pitched voices or low-pitched sounds. Your hearing loss can take a wide range of forms.
How your hearing loss presents, in part, might be determined by what causes your symptoms in the first place. Because your ear is a very complex little organ, there are any number of things that can go wrong.
How does hearing work?
Before you can completely understand how hearing loss works, or what degree of hearing loss calls for a hearing aid, it’s practical to think a bit about how things are supposed to function, how your ear is usually supposed to work. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Outer ear: This is the part of the ear that you can see. It’s where you are first exposed to a “sound”. Sounds are effectively funneled into your middle ear for further processing due to the shape of your outer ear.
- Middle ear: The middle ear consists of your eardrum and several tiny ear bones (Yes, there are some tiny little bones in there).
- Inner ear: This is where your stereocilia are found. Vibration is detected by these little hairs which are then converted into electrical energy. Your cochlea helps here, also. Our brain then receives these electrical signals.
- Auditory nerve: This nerve sends these electrical signals to the brain.
- Auditory system: From your brain to your outer ear, the “auditory system” includes all of the parts discussed above. The total hearing process depends on all of these components working in concert with one another. Usually, in other words, the whole system will be impacted if any one part has issues.
Varieties of hearing loss
There are numerous types of hearing loss because there are numerous parts of the ear. The underlying cause of your hearing loss will determine which type of hearing loss you experience.
The prevalent types of hearing loss include:
- Conductive hearing loss: When there’s a blockage somewhere in the auditory system, usually the middle or outer ear, this type of hearing loss happens. Typically, this blockage is caused by fluid or inflammation (when you have an ear infection, for example, this usually happens). A growth in the ear can sometimes cause conductive hearing loss. Once the obstruction is eliminated, hearing will usually return to normal.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: When the tiny hairs that pick up sound, called stereocilia, are damaged by loud sound they are normally destroyed. Normally, this is a chronic, progressive and irreversible form of hearing loss. Usually, individuals are encouraged to use ear protection to avoid this type of hearing loss. Even though sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, it can be effectively managed with hearing aids.
- Mixed hearing loss: It occasionally 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 manage.
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: ANSD is a relatively rare condition. When sound isn’t properly transmitted from your ear to your brain, this type of hearing loss happens. A device known as a cochlear implant is normally used to treat this type of hearing loss.
Each type of hearing loss requires a different treatment method, but the desired results are usually the same: to improve or maintain your ability to hear.
Variations on hearing loss kinds
And there’s more. Any of these common kinds of hearing loss can be categorized further (and more specifically). Here are a few examples:
- Acquired hearing loss: If you develop hearing loss due to external causes, such as damage, it’s known as “acquired”.
- Fluctuating or stable: If your hearing loss has a tendency to appear and disappear, it might be referred to as fluctuating. Stable hearing loss stays at relatively the same level.
- Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss: It’s possible to experience hearing loss in one ear (unilateral), or in both (bilateral).
- Congenital hearing loss: Hearing loss you were born with.
- Progressive or sudden: Hearing loss that slowly gets worse over time is called “progressive”. Hearing loss that appears or shows up immediately is known as “sudden”.
- Symmetrical or asymmetrical: This indicates whether your hearing loss is equal in both ears or unequal in both ears.
- Pre-lingual or post-lingual: If your hearing loss developed before you learned to talk, it’s called pre-lingual. If your hearing loss developed after you learned to speak, it’s known as post-lingual. This will impact the way hearing loss is addressed.
- High frequency vs. low frequency: Your hearing loss can be classified as one or the other depending on what frequency range is getting lost.
That may seem like a lot, and it is. But your hearing loss will be more effectively treated when we’re able to use these classifications.
Time to get a hearing test
So how do you know which type, and what sub-type, of hearing loss you’re experiencing? Unfortunately, hearing loss isn’t really something you can accurately diagnose by yourself. For instance, is your cochlea functioning correctly, how would you know?
But that’s what hearing tests are for! Your loss of hearing is kind of like a “check engine” light. We can help you determine what type of hearing loss you’re dealing with by hooking you up to a wide variety of modern technology.
So give us a call as soon as you can and schedule an appointment to figure out what’s happening.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/types-of-hearing-loss/