Why We Don't Hear

Hearing Loss

Hearing impairment is a problem that can develop at any time, usually it is gradual and painless. It may take several years for you to realise that hearing loss is affecting you because it develops so slowly that at first it may be barely noticeable. Hearing loss can affect your own life and the lives of those around you.

Hearing loss affects a great number of people around the world. And it affects them in a variety of ways. Over time, hearing loss can lead to anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness. So by leaving hearing impairment untreated, a physical condition may also become a psychological one. This is why it is so important to seek a solution promptly.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

There are different types of hearing loss that are experienced to various degrees and due to several causes. But the symptoms of hearing loss are basically the same. If you think your hearing might be impaired, answering these questions is the right place to start:

• Do people always comment that the volume on your TV or radio is too loud?
• Do you have trouble following conversations in crowded or noisy settings?
• Do people seem to mumble and not speak clearly during conversation?
• Do people tell you that you speak too loudly?
• Do you frequently ask people to repeat themselves?
• Do your friends and family suggest that you have a hearing problem?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a chance that you may have some degree of hearing loss. We urge you to have a hearing test conducted by a Hearing Healthcare Professional.

Types of Hearing Loss:

Conductive hearing loss results from diseases or disorders that limit the transmission of sound through the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss affects the inner ear or neural pathways. In this case, sound is transmitted through the outer and middle ears, but the inner ear is less efficient in transmitting the sound. This type of loss usually occurs due to damages to the hair cells or to the fine nerve endings inside the cochlea. This leads to reduced perception of sound intensity and quality.

Combined hearing loss is the simultaneous occurrence of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, which is also referred to as mixed hearing loss.

Causes of Hearing Loss

• Long-term exposure to noise
• Heredity
• Illness
• Reactions to medications
• Injury
• Ear Wax
• Aging