Hearing Loss
Symptoms
Causes
Types
Degree
Treatment
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Signs and Symptoms of hearing loss
Hearing loss symptoms may vary depending upon your degree, type, and cause of hearing loss. Get a FREE hearing test done today to know more about your hearing loss.
Family members may say that you ask for repetitions or you may feel they are talking too softly
Difficulty understanding speech on telephone
Difficulty understanding speech in background noise
Have trouble understanding people when their face/ mouth is covered
Ringing sensation in ears/ Tinnitus
You might turn up the volume of your television or radio louder than others
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Causes of Hearing Loss
Some of the most common causes of hearing loss include:
- Aging
- Hereditary
- Loud Noise exposure
- Viral Infections
- Trauma
- Ototoxic Drugs
- Ear Wax
Types of Hearing Loss
In general, there are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural or mixed (which is a combination of both).
Conductive hearing loss: Occurs when there is problem in the outer or middle ear. Sounds are prevented from reaching the inner ear, so they sound feable or distorted. Common causes for conductive hearing loss may include wax build-up, infection or fluid in the middle ear, foreign objects in the ear canal, or a perforated eardrum. It is often temporary and can often be treated with medicine or surgery.
Sensorineural hearing loss: In Sensorineural hearing loss, inner ear nerves are damaged and cannot properly transmit signals to the brain. With this type of loss, sounds do not seem clear. This is the most common type of hearing loss as people age. It can be related to genetics and present from birth — through age. Occupation, loud music, noise exposure and even medication are all common causes. It is generally permanent, and cannot be treated with medicine or surgery, though in most cases, hearing aids or cochlear implants can help.
Mixed hearing loss: This is a combination of conductive, as well as sensorineural hearing loss. Mixed hearing loss results when there’s a problem in the outer or middle ear — as well as one affecting the inner ear, or auditory nerve. Common causes include head injuries, long-term infections, and even disorders that run in your family.
Degrees of hearing loss
In order to determine the degree of a person’s hearing loss, the audiologist will do a series of tests to determine the softest level at which you can hear a tone (threshold) in a particular frequency range. This becomes your personal hearing prescription. Hearing level is measured in dB HL and there are five general degrees of hearing loss.
Mild (26 – 40 dB HL threshold)
With mild hearing loss, it’s most difficult to hear soft speech or distinguish sounds when there is background noise.
Moderate (41 – 70 dB HL threshold)
Moderate hearing loss makes it difficult to hear conversations, especially when there is background noise. The TV or radio may need to be turned up to be heard clearly.
Severe (71 – 90 dB HL threshold)
With severe hearing loss, normal conversations are not audible. Loud speech may also be difficult to hear or understand. People with severe hearing loss are only able to hear .
Profound (91 dB HL or higher threshold)
People with profound hearing loss may have difficulty understanding even amplified speech.
Treatment
If you have doubts about your hearing, get a FREE Hearing Test done and find out more about your hearing loss and treatment options available to you.
Treatment will vary depending upon your hearing loss type, degree/ severity, age, budget, lifestyle, and other factors. There are treatment options ranging from different types of hearing aids to BAHA to Cochlear Implants to accessories like TV streamers, Mini Microphones etc.
Begin the process as soon as possible and improve your quality of life. You can enjoy daily conversations again, watch your favorite TV shows again and we have treatment options for everything. Book your Hearing Test now
You have questions? We have answers.
About hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss can be cured with medicine or surgery but sensorineural
hearing loss is permanent.
Can I test my hearing at home?
A hearing test from a hearing care professional is the best way to confirm if you have
hearing loss or not. There are online hearing screening tests available that may provide
an idea of whether hearing loss is present or not.
What Causes Hearing Loss in One Ear?
Ototoxic drugs, ear infections, ear wax, tumors, genetic, and chemotherapy drugs could
be the reason for Hearing Loss in 1 ear.
What Causes Hearing Loss in Newborns?
The following are some of the causes of deafness at birth:
Premature birth, Low birth weight, hyper bilirubin, TORCH infections, genetics.
Syndromes, ear deformity (Anotia or Microtia)
How do you test our new newborn’s hearing ability?
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) – This test measures sound waves emitted just inside the
baby’s ear canal. It measures the response when clicks or tones are presented in the
baby’s ears.
How hearing loss affects daily life?
A person with hearing loss has fewer educational and job opportunities, social isolation
due to impaired communication which leads to emotional problems.
How hearing loss affect the brain?
Hearing loss has an impact on brain function. It may contribute to a faster rate of
atrophy in the brain. which directly increases your risk for cognitive impairment and
dementia
Why seek treatment for hearing loss?
Benefits people report after seeking treatment for hearing
- Better relationships with their families
- Better feelings about themselves
- Better mental health
- Greater independence and security
- Better job or school performance
- Improved balance