Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears. It can affect people of all ages and may range from mild to profound. Here’s a clear breakdown

Degree of Hearing Loss

  • Mild: Difficulty hearing soft sounds or following speech in noisy places.
  • Moderate: Need to ask people to repeat themselves; may use hearing aids.
  • Severe: Can hear very little without amplification.
  • Profound: May not hear anything; may rely on lip reading or sign language.
What you need to know

Types Of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss

    • Cause: Problems in the outer or middle ear (e.g., earwax buildup, fluid, ear infections, or damage to the eardrum).
    • Effect: Sound can't reach the inner ear properly.
    • Often treatable with medicine or surgery.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

    • Cause: Damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve.
    • Common causes: Aging, noise exposure, certain medications, or genetics.
    • Usually permanent, but hearing aids or implants can help.

Mixed Hearing Loss

A combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

🧠 Symptoms

  • Muffled hearing
  • Trouble understanding speech
  • Asking others to speak more slowly or loudly
  • Turning up the volume on devices
  • Withdrawal from conversations
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

🩺 Causes

  • Aging (presbycusis)
  • Loud noise exposure
  • Infections (e.g., meningitis, otitis media)
  • Earwax buildup
  • Ototoxic drugs (damaging to the ear)
  • Genetic factors
  • Head trauma

🧑‍⚕️ Diagnosis & Treatment

  • Hearing tests (audiometry) by audiologists
  • Treatments:
    • Hearing aids
    • Cochlear implants
    • Surgery (e.g., for tumors or bone issues)
    • Communication strategies (lip reading, sign language)