Have you ever seen a t-shirt promoted as “one size fits all” but when you went to put it on, you were discouraged to find that it didn’t fit at all? That’s really frustrating. The reality is that there’s pretty much nothing in the world that is really a “one size fits all”. That’s true with t-shirts and it’s also relevant with medical conditions, like hearing loss. This can be true for numerous reasons.

So what’s the cause of hearing loss? And what is the most common type of hearing loss? Let’s find out!

There are different forms of hearing loss

Everybody’s hearing loss situation will be as unique as they are. Perhaps you hear just fine at the office, but not in a crowded restaurant. Or, maybe specific frequencies of sound get lost. Your loss of hearing can take a wide range of forms.

The root cause of your hearing loss will determine how it manifests. Because your ear is a fairly complex little organ, there are lots of things that can go wrong.

How your hearing works

Before you can completely understand how hearing loss works, or what degree of hearing loss calls for a hearing aid, it’s helpful to consider how things are supposed to work, how your ear is generally supposed to work. Check out this breakdown:

• Outer ear: This is the part of the ear that you can see. It’s where you’re first exposed to a “sound”. Sounds are efficiently guided into your middle ear for further processing by the shape of your outer ear.
• Middle ear: The eardrum and several tiny bones are what your middle ear is composed of (Yes, there are some tiny little bones in there).
• Inner ear: Your stereocilia are found hear. These delicate hairs detect vibrations and begin converting those vibrations into electrical energy. Your cochlea plays a role in this too. This electrical energy is then carried to your brain.
• Auditory nerve: This nerve is inside of your ear, and it’s responsible for channeling and directing this electrical energy towards your brain.
• Auditory system: From your brain to your outer ear, the “auditory system” includes all of the parts discussed above. The total hearing process depends on all of these components working in concert with each other. Typically, in other words, the entire system will be affected if any one part has issues.

Varieties of hearing loss

There are numerous forms of hearing loss because there are multiple parts of the ear. Which type you experience will depend on the root cause.

The common types of hearing loss include:

• Conductive hearing loss: This kind of hearing loss happens because there’s a blockage somewhere in the auditory system, frequently in the outer or middle ear. Normally, fluid or inflammation is the reason for this blockage (when you have an ear infection, for example, this usually happens). In some cases, conductive hearing loss can be the result of a growth in the ear canal. Typically, with conductive hearing loss, your hearing will return to normal once the blockage is gone.
• Sensorineural hearing loss: When your ears are damaged by loud noise, the delicate hair cells which pick up sound, called stereocilia, are destroyed. Normally, this is a chronic, progressive and irreversible type of hearing loss. Typically, individuals are encouraged to wear ear protection to prevent this type of hearing loss. If you’re dealing with sensorineural hearing loss, it can still be treated by devices such as hearing aids.
• Mixed hearing loss: It occasionally happens that someone will experience both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss at the same time. Because the hearing loss is coming from several different places, this can sometimes be challenging to manage.
• Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder: It’s fairly rare for somebody to develop ANSD. When sound isn’t properly transmitted from your ear to your brain, this type of hearing loss occurs. A device known as a cochlear implant is usually used to treat this type of hearing loss.

Each type of hearing loss requires a different treatment approach, but the desired results are often the same: to improve or maintain your ability to hear.

Hearing loss types have variations

And there’s more. Any of these common types of hearing loss can be categorized further (and more specifically). For example, hearing loss can also be classified as:

• Pre-lingual or post-lingual: If your hearing loss developed before you learned to talk, it’s known as pre-lingual. If your hearing loss developed after you learned to talk, it’s called post-lingual. This will affect the way hearing loss is managed.
• Progressive or sudden: Hearing loss that gradually worsens over time is called “progressive”. Hearing loss that erupts or presents instantly is called “sudden”.
• Congenital hearing loss: If you’re born with hearing loss it’s called “congenital”.
• Fluctuating or stable: Fluctuating hearing loss refers to hearing loss that appears and disappears. If your hearing loss remains at about the same levels, it’s known as stable.
• Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss: It’s possible to experience hearing loss in one ear (unilateral), or in both (bilateral).
• Symmetrical or asymmetrical: If your hearing loss is the same in both ears it’s symmetrical and if it isn’t the same in both ears it’s asymmetrical.
• High frequency vs. low frequency: Your hearing loss can be classified as one or the other depending on which frequency range is getting lost.
• Acquired hearing loss: Hearing loss that develops as a consequence of outside forces (like damage).

If that seems like a lot, it’s because it is. The point is that each classification helps us more accurately and effectively address your symptoms.

A hearing exam is in order

So how can you be sure which of these categories pertains to your hearing loss scenario? Unfortunately, hearing loss isn’t really something you can accurately diagnose by yourself. It will be hard for you to determine, for instance, whether your cochlea is working properly.

But you can get a hearing test to find out exactly what’s happening. It’s like when you have a check engine light on in your car and you bring it to a skilled auto technician. We can connect you to a wide range of machines, and help establish what type of hearing loss you’re dealing with.

So the best way to understand what’s happening is to schedule an appointment with us today!

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment

References

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html
https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/types-of-hearing-loss/