Types of Hearing Loss
Have you been struggling to hear clearly?
Types of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, and 90% of all hearing instrument wearers have sensorineural hearing loss. This hearing loss is caused by damage to the delicate hair cells of the inner ear, or damage to the auditory nerve that connects the ears to the brain. Once the cells in your ear have been damaged, they’re unable to convert sound waves into electrical signals that can be sent to the brain, and you won’t hear all the sounds in your environment. This kind of hearing loss can’t be cured or reversed, but treating sensorineural hearing loss with hearing aids will allow you to hear clearly.
Symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss include:
- A gradual decrease in hearing abilities
- Tinnitus (a ringing, buzzing, or rushing sound in the ears)
- Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in background noise. You may be able to hear someone speaking, but you cannot distinguish the specific words.
- Listening to the television or radio at a higher volume than in the past.
- Avoiding conversation and social interaction. Social situations can be tiring and stressful if you can’t hear clearly. You may begin to avoid these situations as hearing becomes more difficult.
- No charge consultation for the hearing aid selection.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear and ear canal. It occurs when sounds from the outside world cannot reach the inner ear at all. Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, most conductive hearing losses can be medically or surgically treated. Our audiologists are supported by the experience and expertise of the ear-nose-and throat specialists of Otolaryngology Associates, should your hearing loss require medical or surgical solutions.
Symptoms of conductive hearing loss:
- Sudden and severe onset of hearing loss
- Ears feel “plugged” and all the sounds around you seem muffled
- Ear pain, itching, or irritation
- Low pitched tinnitus
- A history of ear infections
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss, and 90% of all hearing instrument wearers have sensorineural hearing loss. This hearing loss is caused by damage to the delicate hair cells of the inner ear, or damage to the auditory nerve that connects the ears to the brain. Once the cells in your ear have been damaged, they’re unable to convert sound waves into electrical signals that can be sent to the brain, and you won’t hear all the sounds in your environment. This kind of hearing loss can’t be cured or reversed, but treating sensorineural hearing loss with hearing aids will allow you to hear clearly.
Symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss include:
-
A gradual decrease in hearing abilities
-
Tinnitus (a ringing, buzzing, or rushing sound in the ears)
- Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in background noise. You may be able to hear someone speaking, but you cannot distinguish the specific words.
- Listening to the television or radio at a higher volume than in the past.
- Avoiding conversation and social interaction. Social situations can be tiring and stressful if you can’t hear clearly. You may begin to avoid these situations as hearing becomes more difficult.
- No charge consultation for the hearing aid selection.
Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the outer or middle ear and ear canal. It occurs when sounds from the outside world cannot reach the inner ear at all. Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, most conductive hearing losses can be medically or surgically treated. Our audiologists are supported by the experience and expertise of the ear-nose-and throat specialists of Otolaryngology Associates, should your hearing loss require medical or surgical solutions.
Symptoms of conductive hearing loss:
- Sudden and severe onset of hearing loss
- Ears feel “plugged” and all the sounds around you seem muffled
- Ear pain, itching, or irritation
- Low pitched tinnitus
- A history of ear infections