by Barb Hicks
The inability to hear sounds emanating from the surrounding environment is what characterizes hearing loss. Research suggests that one out of every ten people are affected by some form of hearing loss. The amount of damage describes the degree or extent of the hearing loss. The range can run from mild to profound and can usually be treated with devices to assist a patients ability to hear.
Kinds of hearing loss:
- When the bones of the middle ear, the incus, malleus, and stapes (the smallest bones in the body) do not receive sound from the external ear, this is called Conductive Hearing Loss. This results in the inability to hear faint sounds.
- Damage to the Cochea or inner ear results in the permanent loss of hearing. Commonly referred to as Sensorineural Hearing Loss, it is caused by the inability of the cocheus to send electrical impulses to the brain. As the cochea contains the auditory nerve, damage to it results in the inability to send impulses to the brain for interpretation.
- Mixed Hearing Loss is a combination of both previously mentioned disorders. It occurs when damage happens to the outer, inner and middle ear.
- Central hearing Loss is when a tumor or abnormality is present in the brain or a non-malignant tumor is present in the ear canal causing sound not to be sent to the brain.
- When one ear is affected by an inability to hear it is referred to as Unilateral Hearing Loss.
How Hearing Loss Happens:
There are a variety of reasons that causes one to not hear sounds. These causes of hearing loss include:
- Loud sudden noises such as an explosion or airbag deployment – Family history (Genetics) – Repeated ear infections – Chronic illness such as diabetes – Puncture of the eardrum – Excessive Ear wax – Blockages such as ear wax, fluid, or mechanical obstruction – Lesions (tumors) – Trauma to the head – Viruses – Constant exposure to loud noises
The extent of the damage or hearing lost is determined by the degree of severity. In order to determine this, specialists will perform specific tests in order to discover the cause, type, location and degree of hearing loss. These tests include:
- The tuning fork or Weber’s Test
- Air and Bone Conduction Testing. Also referred to as the Rinne Test
- Audiogram – measures hearing levels
- Speech testing
Surgical and Treatments for Hearing Loss:
- Hearing aid
- A small incision is made in the ear drum where a tube is placed in order to drain the buildup of fluids inside the ear. This is also referred to as Myringotomy.
- Stapedectomy: Surgical manipulation of the stapes bone or complete replacement is performed.
- Reconstructive surgery of the eardrum or the complete removal of the Mastoid bone and any disease within it is commonly called a Tympanoplasty and Mastoid surgery.
- The removal of tumors or acoustic neuromas is called Translabyrinthine surgery.
- The removing of small tumors via a surgical procedure is referred to as Middle Fossa and Retrosigmoid.
If you believe you have some type of hearing loss, consulting with a hearing professional for testing, diagnosis, and treatment will help you begin hearing the sounds coming from your environment again, and participating in the activities you enjoy.
About the Author:
Barb Hicks is a Licensed Registered Nurse who writes and shares her knowledge with others. She is a featured writer on Clivir.com where she shared more information about
Signs Of Hearing Loss and
Hearing Loss Types.
Causes, Types and Treatments of Hearing Loss
The inability to hear sounds emanating from the surrounding environment is what characterizes hearing loss. Research suggests that one out of every ten people are affected by some form of hearing loss. The amount of damage describes the degree or extent of the hearing loss. The range can run from mild to profound and can usually be treated with devices to assist a patients ability to hear.
Kinds of hearing loss:
- When the bones of the middle ear, the incus, malleus, and stapes (the smallest bones in the body) do not receive sound from the external ear, this is called Conductive Hearing Loss. This results in the inability to hear faint sounds.
- Damage to the Cochea or inner ear results in the permanent loss of hearing. Commonly referred to as Sensorineural Hearing Loss, it is caused by the inability of the cocheus to send electrical impulses to the brain. As the cochea contains the auditory nerve, damage to it results in the inability to send impulses to the brain for interpretation.
- Mixed Hearing Loss is a combination of both previously mentioned disorders. It occurs when damage happens to the outer, inner and middle ear.
- Central hearing Loss is when a tumor or abnormality is present in the brain or a non-malignant tumor is present in the ear canal causing sound not to be sent to the brain.
- When one ear is affected by an inability to hear it is referred to as Unilateral Hearing Loss.
How Hearing Loss Happens:
There are a variety of reasons that causes one to not hear sounds. These causes of hearing loss include:
- Loud sudden noises such as an explosion or airbag deployment – Family history (Genetics) – Repeated ear infections – Chronic illness such as diabetes – Puncture of the eardrum – Excessive Ear wax – Blockages such as ear wax, fluid, or mechanical obstruction – Lesions (tumors) – Trauma to the head – Viruses – Constant exposure to loud noises
The extent of the damage or hearing lost is determined by the degree of severity. In order to determine this, specialists will perform specific tests in order to discover the cause, type, location and degree of hearing loss. These tests include:
- The tuning fork or Weber’s Test
- Air and Bone Conduction Testing. Also referred to as the Rinne Test
- Audiogram – measures hearing levels
- Speech testing
Surgical and Treatments for Hearing Loss:
- Hearing aid
- A small incision is made in the ear drum where a tube is placed in order to drain the buildup of fluids inside the ear. This is also referred to as Myringotomy.
- Stapedectomy: Surgical manipulation of the stapes bone or complete replacement is performed.
- Reconstructive surgery of the eardrum or the complete removal of the Mastoid bone and any disease within it is commonly called a Tympanoplasty and Mastoid surgery.
- The removal of tumors or acoustic neuromas is called Translabyrinthine surgery.
- The removing of small tumors via a surgical procedure is referred to as Middle Fossa and Retrosigmoid.
If you believe you have some type of hearing loss, consulting with a hearing professional for testing, diagnosis, and treatment will help you begin hearing the sounds coming from your environment again, and participating in the activities you enjoy.
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