Hearing loss is usually categorized as either sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss but hearing problems can also appear as a mixture of
these two kinds. All of them are related to how much or to what degree
the ear can process sound.
As the name suggests, conductive hearing loss refers to the ability or non ability of the outer ear to conduct sound via the ear canal to the middle ear. This condition can often be temporary, for example as a result of a build up of wax in the ear or because the ear has become infected and inflamed. Other reasons for experiencing a reduced quality of sound with this condition might be either fluid in the ear, which itself often comes about as a symptom of a cold or an allergy, a perforated eardrum, or a blockage caused perhaps by a tumorous growth or something getting stuck in the ear or a fracture.
In many instances this kind of hearing problem is easily treatable and lsts only a relatively short time. Take care to get any hearing loss symptom or condition checked by a professional health practitioner before deciding on any one course of treatment.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss then the condition is a little more serious than the case above. The term ‘neural’ relates to the nerves in the ear that lead to the hearing centre in the
brain and ’sensori’ refers to the way the nerve sensors work, or not, as the case may be.
If the sensitive area of the auditory nerve and cochlea are subject to damage, unlike the more easily treatable outer and middle part of the ear, permanent hearing loss will ensue ,. you may not reach the level of total hearing loss, yet nevertheless can experience great difficulty joining in anywhere near like a normal conversation.
This can sometimes happen as a result of injuries received during birth or genetics or may occur as a side effect of certain medications like the regular use of aspirin or some diuretic drugs, for example. The name used to identify this kind of hearing condition is ‘ototoxic’. Hearing impairment can also come about as a result of contracting a virus or disease such as rubella, meningitis or Meniere’s disease. High levels of noise, especially if continued over a period of time can damage the cochlea and its sensitive hair cells and lead, in the end result, to what is termed noise-induced hearing loss.
Presbycusis is the term used to describe hearing loss that occurs naturally with aging where the ear doesn’t perform as efficiently due to gradual wear and tear.Mixed hearing loss is the result of damage to both the outer or middle ear and to the inner ear cochlea or auditory nerve at the same time.
Measuring the degree of hearing loss is usually done by testing the threshold at which you can detect sound and this is measured in decibles. Normal hearing is around the 10-15 decible range, whereas profound hearing loss would be be recorded at over 90 decibles.
More tips, advice and information about all types of hearing loss, symptoms, causes and treatment is available at www.conductivehearinglossandtreatments.com
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