What Are The 4 Types of Hearing Loss
Not being able to hear is an extremely isolating experience. A hearing loss means that the ears and auditory system are not working properly. There are different types of hearing loss one may experience. This blog post will share important information about each one of them.
The Different Types of Hearing Loss and Their Causes
1. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
A sensorineural hearing loss is when the parts of the inner ear that are responsible for hearing are damaged. Much of the damage is due to aging and is called presbycusis. Other causes include chronic exposure to loud noises, infections, head injuries, and the use of certain medicines.
What Are the Causes?
Head injuries - any sort of head injury can leave a person with a hearing loss (this includes even minor accidents). These types of injuries can be hard to avoid.
Medications - aspirin, antibiotics, or chemotherapy medicines are known to cause hearing loss.
Nerve damage - some people have a hearing loss that is a result of nerve damage and not the outer ear.
Exposure to loud noises - if you are exposed to loud noises, the eardrum, nerve endings, and the tiny hair cells in the inner ear can become damaged.
2. Conductive Hearing Loss
A conductive hearing loss is when there is something blocking the sound from coming into the inner ear. This can be a problem with the outer ear, the middle ear, or the eardrum.
What Are the Causes?
Earwax - a blockage of the eardrum by earwax.
Fluid in the ear - fluid in the inner ear can block sounds from coming into the inner ear.
Fluid in the middle ear - fluid that accumulates in the space between the eardrum and the middle ear.
Perforations of the eardrum - this is caused by a hole or tear in the eardrum.
3. Mixed Hearing Loss
A mixed hearing loss is a hearing loss that is a combination of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.
What Are the Causes?
Damage to the outer ear and middle ear - a combination of damage to the outer ear and the middle ear.
Damage to the inner ear - a combination of damage to the inner ear and the middle ear.
4. Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
An auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is when the nerves responsible for hearing are damaged.
What Are the Causes?
Auditory neuropathy is when the nerves responsible for hearing are damaged.
Heredity - the disorder can be inherited.
Infections - the disorder can be caused by bacterial or viral infections to the inner ear.
Age-related hearing loss - age-related hearing loss is associated with this type of hearing loss.
How Can Hearing Aids Help?
Hearing aids amplify the sounds that a person can hear. This can help improve their lives. Many people with hearing loss are able to improve their hearing with the use of hearing aids.
Conclusion
If you or someone you love is struggling with hearing loss, you might be wondering which hearing aid is right for you. You should always see a hearing professional and find out which hearing aid is right for you.
Should you be looking for affordable hearing aids, visit HearGlow. Our mission is to make hearing devices more affordable for the many millions around the world who are hard of hearing. Get the better of your hearing loss and contact us today!
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