Are you struggling with your hearing or perhaps you are concerned about a loved one and want to find out more about hearing loss?
In the US, approximately 1 in 10 people suffer from some degree of hearing loss and most people believe that there is just one type but there are two types of hearing loss – conductive and sensorineural.
At Audicles, we wanted to share some information with you about the different types of hearing loss because the prospect can fill people with dread and leave them feeling really rather anxious. It is useful to arm yourself with the facts and hopefully that will help alleviate any fear you or your loved one may have.
Our patients often report early signs of their hearing loss to be things like having to increase the volume on the television, sounds becoming muffled, having to ask for words to be repeated – and these are all common indicators that there is some degree of hearing impairment. The good news is that most hearing loss can be treated and your audiologist will be able to decipher what kind of hearing loss you have during your examination.
Conductive Hearing Loss – This is usually a temporary problem due to a blockage or malformation somewhere between the outer and inner ear. Often conductive hearing loss is due to a build-up of ear wax or fluid left behind after an ear infection. Or perhaps your eardrum has ruptured or the small bones within the middle ear have stiffened.
The outcome for patients with conductive hearing loss is excellent because the majority of these treatments are entirely treatable either with surgery or medication. If, for whatever reason, your conductive hearing loss is not treatable, we can guide you through the best option for you, which would typically be a hearing aid or a middle ear transplant.
Sensorineural – People with sensorineural hearing loss are experiencing problems with their inner ear. There are two possible issues here, the first being a sensory problem with the deep part of the ear that detects sound and the second being with the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.
Sensorineural hearing loss can be genetic but it can also be caused by illness, head or ear trauma, and repeated exposure to loud noises. The usual treatment route for this type of hearing loss is hearing aids and in certain circumstances, cochlear implants are suitable.
People can also suffer from mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural, meaning treatment options are usually a mixture of medication, surgery, and hearing aids.
We want to reassure you that whatever your type of hearing loss, here at Audicles, we can help you get back on track. We can provide you with a clear diagnosis, treatment options, and ongoing support to ensure you receive the very best in hearing healthcare. Please do get in touch if you would like to book in for a hearing health check.
