Have you ever bought one of those “one size fits all” t-shirts only to be disappointed (and shocked) when the shirt doesn’t, in fact, fit as advertised? That’s really annoying. The fact is that there’s almost nothing in the world that is truly 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 happens.
So what are the most common kinds of hearing loss and what causes them? Well, that’s exactly what we intend to explore.
There are different kinds of hearing loss
Because hearing is such a complex cognitive and physical process, no two people’s hearing loss will be exactly the same. Perhaps you hear just fine at the office, but not in a crowded restaurant. Or, perhaps specific frequencies of sound get lost. Your loss of hearing can take a variety of forms.
How your hearing loss shows up, in part, may be dictated by what causes your symptoms to begin with. Any number of things can go wrong with an organ as complex as the ear.
How does hearing work?
Before you can completely understand how hearing loss works, or what degree of hearing loss requires a hearing aid, it’s helpful to think a bit about how things are supposed to work, how your ear is generally supposed to work. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Outer ear: This is the part of the ear that you can see. It’s the initial sound receiver. The shape of your ear helps direct those sounds into your middle ear (where they are further processed).
- Middle ear: The eardrum and a few tiny bones are what your middle ear is composed of (Yes, there are some tiny little bones in there).
- Inner ear: This is where your stereocilia are found. Vibration is picked up by these fragile hairs which are then transformed into electrical signals. Your cochlea helps here, also. This electrical energy is then sent to your brain.
- Auditory nerve: This nerve is located in your ear, and it’s responsible for channeling and directing this electrical energy to your brain.
- Auditory system: All of the elements listed above, from your brain to your outer ear, are elements of your “auditory system”. It’s important to recognize that all of these parts are constantly working together and in unison with each other. In other words, the system is interconnected, so any issue in one area will usually affect the performance of the entire system.
Types of hearing loss
Because there are numerous parts of your auditory system, there are (as a result) numerous types of hearing loss. Which form you develop will depend on the underlying cause.
The common types of hearing loss include:
- Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss occurs because there’s a blockage somewhere in the auditory system, frequently in the outer or middle ear. Normally, this blockage is a consequence of fluid or inflammation (when you have an ear infection, for instance, this usually occurs). In some cases, conductive hearing loss can be the result of a growth in the ear canal. 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 noise they are usually destroyed. Usually, this is a chronic, progressive and irreversible type of hearing loss. Usually, individuals are encouraged to wear hearing protection to prevent this type of hearing loss. If you have sensorineural hearing loss, it can still be managed by devices like hearing aids.
- Mixed hearing loss: It’s also possible to experience a combination of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. This can often be difficult to treat because the hearing loss is coming from different places.
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: ANSD is a rather rare condition. When sound is not properly transmitted from your ear to your brain, this kind of hearing loss happens. A device known as a cochlear implant is normally used to manage this kind of hearing loss.
Each form of hearing loss requires a different treatment approach, but the desired results are often the same: improving your hearing ability.
Hearing loss types have variations
And that isn’t all! Any of these common types of hearing loss can be further categorized (and more specifically). Here are some examples:
- Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss: It’s possible to develop hearing loss in one ear (unilateral), or in both (bilateral).
- Congenital hearing loss: Hearing loss you were born with.
- Pre-lingual or post-lingual: If your hearing loss developed before you learned to talk, it’s known as pre-lingual. Hearing loss is post-lingual when it develops after you learned to speak. This will impact the way hearing loss is treated.
- Fluctuating or stable: Fluctuating hearing loss describes hearing loss that appears and disappears. Stable hearing loss stays at about the same level.
- Acquired hearing loss: Hearing loss that develops as a result of outside causes (like damage).
- Progressive or sudden: You have “progressive” hearing loss if it gradually worsens over time. If your hearing loss occurs all at once, it’s known as “sudden”.
- High frequency vs. low frequency: You may have more difficulty hearing high or low-frequency sounds. Your hearing loss can then be categorized as one or the other.
- Symmetrical or asymmetrical: This indicates whether your hearing loss is equal in both ears or unequal in both ears.
That may seem like a lot, and it is. The point is that each categorization helps us more precisely and effectively treat your symptoms.
Time to get a hearing exam
So how can you tell what type, and what sub-type, of hearing loss you’re experiencing? Unfortunately, hearing loss isn’t really something you can accurately diagnose by yourself. As an example, is your cochlea functioning properly, how would you know?
But that’s what hearing exams are for! It’s like when you have a check engine light on in your car and you bring it to a skilled auto technician. We can hook you up to a wide variety of machines, and help determine what type of hearing loss you’re dealing with.
So the best way to determine what’s going on is to schedule an appointment with us as soon as you can!
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/types-of-hearing-loss/