Types & Causes
Hearing loss is a surprisingly common issue in adults. Determining the type of hearing loss you may be experience is a critical step in regaining your quality of life. The following information can help you understand more about the main types of hearing loss, and some of the factors that contribute to causing hearing loss There are four types of hearing loss:- Sensorineural: the most common type of hearing loss
- Conductive: results of breakdown in the mechanical transmission of sound
- Mixed: a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss
- Central: a rare type of hearing loss related to problems with the central auditory system
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Sensorineural loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It occurs when the tiny hair cells of the inner ear are damaged. Even though sound gets in to the inner ear normally , the damaged hair cells are unable to "sense" and provide the required signals to the brain. In most cases the ear's hair cells that are able to sense sound are damaged. As a result, these damage hair cells send a distorted message to the brain, making it difficult for you to hear.
Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:- Age
- Prolonged exposure to excessive noise
- Hereditary predisposition
- Disease
- Chemotherapy
- Ototoxic medication (certain anti-biotics)
- Prenatal, perinatal or congenital factors
- No medical procedure can "reverse" sensorineural hearing loss. However, the loss can be helped with amplification including hearing aids and everyday listening products, enabling the remaining hair cells to respond with maximum efficiency. Learn more about treatment options for hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a breakdown in the bio-mechanical transmission of sound to the brain. This is typically the result of their being an issue with the outer and/or middle ear.
Causes can be as simple as impacted earwax or as serious as a middle ear infection. A punctured eardrum or dislocation of the middle ear bones are also potential contributors to conductive hearing loss.
Thankfully, many conductive hearing problems can be medically or surgically treated. Often, they may only require hearing aids for a short period of time while recovering. In many cases recovery does not require hearing aids at all. Conductive losses that can't be treated medically are often treated very successfully with hearing aids.
Mixed Hearing Loss It is possible for multiple factors to impact your hearing. Mixed hearing loss occurs when both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss are present. The treatment of mixed hearing loss depends on the specific factors responsible for it. Any Audiologist in the HearingPlanet network of providers can assist you in determining the best course of action for treating mixed hearing loss.
Central Hearing Loss Central hearing loss is a very rare form of hearing loss. It occurs as a result of a problem in the central auditory system in the brain. Although the outer, middle and inner ear parts deliver sound normally , they are not processed properly by the brain. Unfortunately, hearing aids do not help with this rare type of hearing loss.
