---- Understand Your Hearing Loss ----

How do I know if I have a hearing loss?

Hearing loss often occurs so gradually that the individual may not be aware of the problem.  In fact, it is not uncommon for a hearing loss to first be detected by a friend or family member, who must speak louder or repeat what is said to be understood.

Early signs of hearing loss include:

• Feeling that almost everyone mumbles and doesn't speak clearly.
• Turning the TV or radio volume louder than other family members prefer.
• Difficulty understanding speech in a background of noise (in restaurants, for instance.)
• More difficulty hearing children and women than men.
• Difficulty hearing in meetings.
• Difficulty hearing at public speaking events.
• Tinnitus - ringing or other noises in the ear(s).
• Continually requesting that the speaker repeat what has been said.
• Difficulty hearing people "with low voices."

---- Types of Hearing Loss ----

Any disease or condition that interferes or disrupts the transmission of sound to the hearing centers in the brain causes a hearing loss.  This disruption can occur anywhere along the hearing pathway from the outer ear to the brain.

Hearing loss can develop at any age and may have one or more causes.  Most hearing losses can be categorized as either sensorineural, conductive or mixed.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the cochlea (organ of hearing) or the actual auditory nerve itself is damaged or compromised.  Approximately 90% of all hearing loss is classified as sensorineural, making it the most common type of hearing impairment.

Sensorineural hearing loss is often referred to as "nerve deafness."  Although the term nerve deafness would technically describe only hearing loss caused by damage to the auditory nerve and not to the cochlea, the term is adequate for everyday conversation.

Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss are; aging and exposure to loud noises, but there are many other causes (viral infections, disrupted blood supply to the ear, metabolic disturbances, accident/injury, genetic predisposition, medications that are toxic to the ear, etc.)  This type of hearing loss is usually not able to be repaired medically or surgically.  It is typically permanent and irreversible.  However, most sensorineural hearing loss is treatable with the use of hearing aids.

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