Have you ever bought one of those “one size fits all” t-shirts only to be disappointed (and surprised) when the shirt does not, in fact, fit as advertised? It’s kind of a bummer, right? The fact is that there’s pretty much nothing in the world that is truly a “one size fits all”. That’s not only relevant with clothing, it’s also true with medical conditions like hearing loss. This can be true for many reasons.
So what are the most common types of hearing loss and what causes them? Well, that’s precisely what we intend to find out.
Hearing loss comes in different types
Because hearing is such a complex mental and physical operation, no two people’s hearing loss will be exactly the same. Maybe when you’re in a crowded restaurant you can’t hear that well, but when you’re at work, you hear just fine. Or, perhaps certain frequencies of sound get lost. There are a wide variety of forms that your hearing loss can take.
The root cause of your hearing loss will determine how it manifests. Because your ear is a fairly complex little organ, there are any number of things that can go wrong.
How your hearing works
Before you can thoroughly 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 function, how your ear is usually supposed to work. Check out this breakdown:
- Outer ear: This is the part of the ear that’s visible. It’s the initial sound receiver. The shape of your ear helps direct those sounds into your middle ear (where they are processed further).
- 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: Your stereocilia are found hear. These fragile hairs pick up on vibrations and begin converting those vibrations into electrical energy. Your cochlea helps here, too. These electrical signals are then transmitted to your brain.
- Auditory nerve: This nerve is inside of your ear, and it’s responsible for channeling and sending this electrical energy towards your brain.
- Auditory system: All of the parts listed above, from your brain to your outer ear, are components of your “auditory system”. It’s important to recognize that all of these parts are constantly working together and in unison with each other. Usually, in other words, the entire system will be impacted if any one part has issues.
Varieties of hearing loss
Because there are multiple parts of your auditory system, there are (as a result) multiple types of hearing loss. The root cause of your hearing loss will determine which kind of hearing loss you experience.
The common types of hearing loss include:
- Conductive hearing loss: This kind of hearing loss happens because there’s a blockage somewhere in the auditory system, frequently in the middle or outer ear. Normally, fluid or inflammation is the cause of this blockage (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 your ears are damaged by loud sound, the delicate hair cells which detect sound, called stereocilia, are destroyed. This form of hearing loss is generally chronic, progressive, and irreversible. Because of this, individuals are usually encouraged to avoid this type of hearing loss by using hearing protection. If you’re dealing with sensorineural hearing loss, it can still be managed by devices such as hearing aids.
- Mixed hearing loss: It occasionally happens that a person will experience both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss simultaneously. Because the hearing loss is coming from several different places, this can sometimes be challenging to treat.
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: ANSD is a relatively rare condition. When sound is not properly transmitted from your ear to your brain, this kind of hearing loss happens. A device called a cochlear implant is normally used to treat this kind of hearing loss.
The desired results are the same even though the treatment solution will vary for each type of hearing loss: to improve or preserve your ability to hear.
Hearing loss kinds have variations
And there’s more. Any of these normal kinds of hearing loss can be categorized further (and more specifically). Here are a few examples:
- Fluctuating or stable: Fluctuating hearing loss describes hearing loss that comes and goes. Stable hearing loss remains at about the same level.
- High frequency vs. low frequency: You might have more difficulty hearing high or low-frequency sounds. Your hearing loss can then be categorized as one or the other.
- Progressive or sudden: Hearing loss that gradually worsens over time is called “progressive”. Hearing loss that erupts or shows up immediately is called “sudden”.
- 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.
- Congenital hearing loss: Hearing loss you were born with.
- 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 speak. This will affect the way hearing loss is treated.
- Acquired hearing loss: If you experience hearing loss due to outside causes, like damage, it’s called “acquired”.
- Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss: This means you’re either experiencing hearing loss in only one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral).
That may seem like a lot, and it is. The point is that each categorization helps us more accurately and effectively manage your symptoms.
A hearing exam is in order
So how can you tell which of these classifications applies to your hearing loss scenario? Unfortunately, hearing loss isn’t really something you can accurately diagnose by yourself. For instance, is your cochlea functioning correctly, how would you know?
But that’s what hearing tests are for! Your loss of hearing is sort of like a “check engine” light. We can help you determine what type of hearing loss you’re dealing with by connecting you to a wide range of modern technology.
So the best way to understand what’s going on is to make an appointment with us today!
References
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/types-of-hearing-loss/