Hearing Loss
Hearing is one of our most vital senses. Our ability to hear keeps us connected to our family, friends and colleagues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Unique to each individual, hearing loss occurs when hair cells in the inner ear (the cochlea) and the auditory nerves are no longer able to transmit signals to the brain. When this happens, certain letters are missing from various words and sentences, causing an individual to “hear" but not “understand” conversation.
Causes of Hearing Loss
The causes of hearing loss vary and their impact on your hearing ranges from mild to severe. Some of these causes include:
- Noise Exposure
- Family history
- Nerve Deafness
- Presbyacusis - The natural aging process
- Ototoxic medications
Types of Hearing Loss
There are basically three types of hearing loss that can be helped with advanced hearing aid technology:
- Conductive – This type of hearing loss affects the middle ear. This can be caused by any condition that blocks or impedes the conveyance of sound, such as, impacted wax, fluid in ear, perforated eardrum or otosclerosis.
- Sensorineural – This type of hearing loss affects the inner ear or auditory nerve, also known as "nerve deafness". It reduces the loudness and clarity of sound, particularly speech, even when the volume is loud enough.
- Mixed -A combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Hearing loss can be frustrating, stressful and isolate one from the activities they enjoy and the people they love. However, with advanced hearing aid technology most hearing losses can be helped, making it easier than ever to hear better and live better.
See the 24 page booklet entitled The 5 Steps to Better Hearing which shares the five principles vital for success with hearing aids.
Did you see the TODAY Show story about hearing loss?
The first step to better hearing is getting an accurate hearing test.
