DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEARING LOSS

Losing the ability to hear or hear properly is hearing loss. It can be resultant of various things such as constant exposure to loud sound, mishap, chemical reactions, defects during birth and last but not the least by normal process of ageing.

There are three different types of Hearing Loss:

1. Conductive Hearing Loss
2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
3. Mixed Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss:

This impairment is a result of sound not reaching the inner ear ( i.e. Cochlea ). This is caused by the blockage or damage in the outer and/or middle ear. Some of the common cause for the same are ax build-up, a perforated ear drum, fluid in the middle ear, or damage to the bones in the middle ear.

Sensorineural Loss

This impairment is a result of dysfunction of the inner ear, the Cochlea ( Sensory part ) or the hearing nerve (Neural part )

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss. This happens when there is a problem in both the conductive pathway ( i.e. Outer & Middle Ear) and in the Nerve Part ( Inner ear )

GENERAL REASONS FOR HEARING LOSS :

1. Age
2. Exposure to Noise
3. Genetic Transmission
4. Disease / illness
5. Neurological Disorders
6. Chemical Reaction
7. Physical Trauma
8. Accidents involving injury to Head

SYMPTOMS OF HEARING LOSS?

As our hearing pattern and sharpness changes gradually – many a times we would not notice it and postponement in knowing the problem will only worsen things : Listed below are a few indicators that you may potentially have a hearing loss:
● Have you been told that you are watching the television or listening to the radio in a volume that is discomforting to others?
● Do you find it difficult when people are conversing in a slightly lower tone?
● Do you find it difficult to follow conversations on the telephone?
● Are you getting into the habit of asking people to repeat things because you are unable to follow them ?
● Do you have difficulty following conversation in groups when more than one person may be talking at the same time?
● Do you often mishear what others say or think that somebody has said something different?
● Has anyone close to you indicated or you yourself have felt that your hearing ability has deteriorated?
● Do you find it harder to hear clearly what others are saying if there is background noise, such as in restaurants, public places, exhibitions etc.

IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS:

Losing the ability to hear or hear properly is bound to have various repercussions on many aspects of One’s life. It can drain out the person :

1. Emotionally
2. Physically
3. Mentally

Hence it is not unusual to see that people with hearing problems have difficulty in all aspects of life and it may lead to depression as well.