Have you ever purchased 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 frustrating. The fact is that there’s almost nothing in the world that is truly a “one size fits all”. That’s a fact with t-shirts and it’s also true with medical conditions, like hearing loss. This can be true for many reasons.
So what are the most prevalent kinds of hearing loss and what causes them? Let’s see what we can find out!
There are different kinds of hearing loss
Because hearing is such an intricate cognitive and physical operation, no two people’s hearing loss will be precisely the same. Perhaps you hear just fine at the office, but not in a crowded restaurant. Or, perhaps certain frequencies of sound get lost. Your hearing loss can take a wide variety of forms.
How your hearing loss presents, in part, might be dictated by what causes your symptoms to begin with. Because your ear is a fairly complex little organ, there are lots of things that can go wrong.
How does hearing work?
It’s helpful to get an understanding of how hearing is supposed to work before we can figure out what level of hearing loss requires a hearing aid. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Outer ear: This is the visible part of the ear. It’s the initial sound receiver. The shape of your ear helps funnel those sounds into your middle ear (where they are further processed).
- Middle ear: The middle ear consists of your eardrum and a few tiny ear bones (yes, you have bones in your ear, but they are admittedly very, very tiny).
- Inner ear: This is where your stereocilia are found. These delicate hairs detect vibrations and start converting those vibrations into electrical signals. Your cochlea plays a role in this also. Our brain then receives this electrical energy.
- 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 elements discussed above. The complete hearing process depends on all of these parts working in concert with one another. Typically, in other words, the whole system will be affected if any one part has issues.
Hearing loss types
There are multiple types of hearing loss because there are numerous parts of the ear. The root cause of your hearing loss will determine which kind 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, often the middle or outer ear, this form of hearing loss happens. Usually, this blockage is due to fluid or inflammation (this usually happens, for example, when you have an ear infection). Sometimes, conductive hearing loss can be caused by a growth in the ear canal. Once the blockage is eliminated, hearing will usually return to normal.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: When your ears are damaged by loud sound, the fragile hair cells which pick up sound, called stereocilia, are destroyed. Normally, this is a chronic, progressive and irreversible form of hearing loss. Typically, individuals are encouraged to wear ear protection to avoid this type of hearing loss. If you have sensorineural hearing loss, it can still be treated by devices such as hearing aids.
- Mixed hearing loss: It’s also possible to have a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. This can often be hard to treat because the hearing loss is coming from different places.
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: ANSD is a fairly rare condition. It occurs when the cochlea does not properly transmit sounds from your ear to your brain. A device known as a cochlear implant is normally used to treat this type of hearing loss.
The desired results are the same even though the treatment option will differ for each type of hearing loss: improving your hearing ability.
Variations on hearing loss kinds
And there’s more. We can analyze and categorize these common types of hearing loss even more specifically. Here are a few examples:
- Pre-lingual or post-lingual: Hearing loss is known as pre-lingual when it develops before you learned to speak. Hearing loss is post-lingual when it develops after you learned to talk. This will impact the way hearing loss is treated.
- High frequency vs. low frequency: You might have more trouble hearing high or low-frequency sounds. Your hearing loss can then be classified as one or the other.
- Congenital hearing loss: Hearing loss you were born with.
- Progressive or sudden: You have “progressive” hearing loss if it gradually worsens over time. If your hearing loss happens all at once, it’s called “sudden”.
- Acquired hearing loss: If you develop hearing loss as a result of outside forces, like damage, it’s known as “acquired”.
- Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss: It’s possible to develop hearing loss in one ear (unilateral), or in both (bilateral).
- Fluctuating or stable: Fluctuating hearing loss refers to hearing loss that comes and goes. If your hearing loss stays at approximately the same levels, it’s known as stable.
- Symmetrical or asymmetrical: If your hearing loss is the same in both ears it’s symmetrical and if it isn’t the same in both ears it’s asymmetrical.
That might seem like a lot, and it is. But your hearing loss will be more effectively managed when we’re able to use these classifications.
A hearing exam is in order
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 properly, how would you know?
But you can get a hearing test to find out exactly what’s happening. It’s like when you have a check engine light on in your car and you take it to a qualified auto technician. We can connect you to a wide range of machines, and help establish what type of hearing loss you have.
So call us today and schedule 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/
