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Published : January 03, 2012 |
Author : jinascherer
Category : Health | Total Views
: 19 | Unrated
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Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can affect persons in different ways depending on what is causing the loss and where in the ear the problem is located. Your ear is comprised of three sections: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.
• The outer ear consists of the external visible portion of the ear and the outer ear canal. It serves to funnel sound to the middle ear.
• The middle ear is made up of the space behind your ear drum that contains the small bones or ossicles, often called the hammer, anvil, and stirrup due to their shape. The middle ear conducts and transforms sound that is sent to the inner ear.
• The inner ear is made up of the organ of hearing (cochlea) and the balance organs. The inner ear receives and codes sound to be sent via the hearing nerve to the brain. The brain then processes the signals and sound is heard.
Impaired hearing can occur when only one of these sections are damaged or may be due to damaged in combined areas.
When there is an issue in the outer or middle ear that causes hearing impairment, the loss is termed ‘conductive’. Conductive hearing impairment results from inefficient sound transmission, producing reduced volume of sound. Excessive ear wax, foreign objects in the ear canal, fluid or infection in the middle ear, holes in the eardrum, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or disorders of the middle ear bones can cause conductive hearing loss. Symptoms of this type of loss include: ears feeling plugged or full; feeling that sound is muffled; and soft speech. Treatment can vary from medical intervention to hearing aids.
When the impairment stems from the inner ear or the hearing nerve, the loss is called ‘sensorineural’. Sensorineural hearing impairment results from damaged sensory cells in the cochlea, inner ear malformations, poor blood circulation in the inner ear, fluid imbalance of the inner ear, or hearing nerve damage. Sensorineural hearing impairment is the most typical, often stemming from degeneration with age or noise exposure. This type of loss can also be caused by certain medications that damage the inner ear. It may sometimes be termed, “sensory loss”, “cochlear loss” or “nerve loss”. Symptoms include: hearing, but not understanding; feeling as though everyone mumbles; poor telephone understanding; having increased difficulty in noisy situations; and needing frequent repetition. This type of loss is often accompanied by ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Treatment can vary from hearing aids to cochlear implants and may involve surgical interventions, depending on the cause.
A combination of outer/middle and inner ear difficulties is termed a ‘mixed’ impairment, and may require interventions typical of the two categories. There is also hearing loss due to brain injury, damage, or dysfunction of the central nervous system. This type of impairment is termed ‘central’. On objective tests of hearing, results may appear normal or seemingly conflicting. Volume of sound may not be affected (but can be), while understanding may be severely impaired. Depending on the severity and symptoms, therapy and environmental controls may be viable treatment options.
Discuss your hearing evaluation results with your audiologist or hearing healthcare professional today. They can guide you to further understanding of your specific hearing loss and treatment options!
She received her Doctor of Audiology degree from Central Michigan University. She completed her undergraduate studies in Audiology and Speech Sciences at Michigan State University. http://www.hearingaidstoday.com/, http://hearing-aids-nashville-tn.com |
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