Types Of Hearing Loss

Different Levels of Loss

There are different levels of hearing loss. These can range all the way from mild to severe. Hearing loss also varies depending on pitch or frequency. A hearing professional will provide a group of tests to decide how much loss is being experienced compared to adults with normal hearing.

The sound volume your ear hears is measured using decibels(dB). The faintest whisper being 15-20 dB and the loudness of an engine of a jet being 120 dB. Thresholds are the slightest sounds a person can hear. For adults, the normal range for hearing threshold is 0-25 dB within a range of tested frequencies. Speech testing is given as a part of the evaluation to evaluate the levels of individual words a person can clearly hear. These tests combine to determine what kind of hearing loss you are experiencing. These can be put into categories of conductive, sensorineural or mixed.

Conductive Hearing Loss

When an issue with how the sound is being transmitted to the cochlea and inner ear, the result is conductive hearing loss. The location of the issue may come from the eardrum, ear canal, or middle ear. With this kind of hearing loss the auditory nerve and inner ear are not affected.

Most of the symptoms a person experiences with conductive hearing loss are typical with other types of hearing loss. However, a person may experience sounds that appear muffled or too quiet to hear clearly.

Frequent causes of conductive hearing loss include:

  • Earwax blockage
  • Middle or outer ear infections
  • Middle ear bone deterioration (ossicles)
  • Tympanic membrane perforation or hole in the eardrum
  • Otosclerosis, fixation of the ossicles
  • Missing outer ear or middle ear structures

Depending on the problem’s source, conductive hearing loss may only be temporary or can be permanent. For some cases of conductive hearing loss, medical management can fix the problem. For long-term or permanent cases, a professional may suggest hearing instruments.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

When there is a problem with the hearing system’s sensory receptors, sensorineural hearing loss occurs. This specifically affects the cochlea of the inner ear or auditory nerve. This is usually the result of damage to or an abnormality of the hair cells in the cochlea. This particular abnormality keeps sound from being transmitted in the usual way to the brain. This results in hearing loss.

A person with sensorineural hearing loss may suffer from Tinnitus, hear speech that is muffled, or have trouble hearing noises in the background or speech clearly.

There are several causes of sensorineural hearing loss, which include:

  • Congenital: Since birth, the hair cells have been abnormal, which makes it a congenital condition.
  • Damage to hair cells: Hearing loss occurs because of trauma, overexposure to noise, infection or drugs.
  • Presbycusis: hearing loss that is age related

Sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent and may either remain stable or become worse with time. Someone with sensorineural hearing loss should have routine hearing exams to monitor their hearing loss. The most often prescribed and successful treatment is the use of hearing aids. These allow a professional to make adjustments as needed.

Mixed Hearing Loss

When a person has the experience of sensorineural hearing loss combined with conductive hearing loss, this is considered mixed hearing loss. They experience problems with both the inner ear and middle and/or outer ear.

Mixed hearing loss can sometimes be treated with medical management, and hearing aids are a common treatment recommendation.

Medical management is usually used to treat mixed hearing loss, with the most common treatment being the use of hearing aids.

Where the doctor and device are one

Good hearing devices become great, when you see an Audiologist who is trained well and follows best practices!

Hearing Aids

HEARING AID SALES AND SERVICES

Are you ready to take your hearing to the next level? Our practice offers devices from the leading hearing technology manufacturers, which helps us find the perfect fit for your specific needs!

HEARING CARE SERVICES, TESTING & REPAIR

Our practice offers extensive hearing care services, ranging from complete hearing
testing and evaluations, to hearing aid fittings, adjustments and repairs.

Experienced Doctors of Audiology

Our audiologists are skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to treating hearing loss. From comprehensive testing to hearing aid fitting and adjustments, trust our practice to treat your hearing care needs.

koch

Kristin Koch, Au.D.

Clinical Director

koch

LeighAnna Morris, Au.D., CCC-A

Associate Audiologist

EvolutionHearing

SEND US A MESSAGE


    New Patient Diagnostic Suite - Schedule Now!

    Our New Patient Diagnostic Suite is a comprehensive appointment that allows you to receive complete and extensive information about the status of your hearing. It includes, but is not limited to:

    • Audiometric testing(audiogram)
    • Tympanometry
    • Cognitive screening
    • Dexterity screening
    • HHIA questionairre
    • Speech in noise testing
    • Wax removal/Cerumen management
    • Consult with one of our doctors

    Don't be fooled by "free hearing test" ads- they don't give enough information to help you with a complete solution.