Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss changes our everyday life
Even simple conversations can be very tiring for people with hearing loss. Following a discussion with several participants requires intense effort. Active communication is difficult, which can quickly lead to isolation.
Hearing loss can have many causes. But in most cases, hearing loss can be addressed successfully.
The ear is a very complex sensory organ
It consists of three sections: Outer ear, middle ear and inner ear.
Parts of the ear:
- Pinna
- Auditory canal
- Eardrum
- Malleus
- Incus
- Eustachian tube
- Stapes
- Semicircular canals
- Cochlea
- Auditory nerve
Causes of hearing loss
Hearing loss can be the result of damage to any one of these sections.
Causes in the outer ear
Typical problems with the outer ear (A) include ear wax plugs and infections of the auditory canal.
Usually, addressing these problems is very easy. But it is important to act quickly in order to avoid hearing damage.
Causes in the middle ear
Inflammation, fluid behind the eardrum, perforations of the eardrum and otosclerosis (a stiffening of the bones in the middle ear) are the most common problems to interfere with middle ear (B) function. Most outer and middle ear problems can be addressed effectively with medication or surgery. If this is not possible, permanent hearing loss can be compensated with a hearing aid in most cases.
Causes in the inner ear
The majority of hearing issues concern the inner ear (C). The most common cause is the natural aging process. But loud noise, taking some types of medication, or skull fractures can also have a negative influence on a person's hearing ability. These influences damage the fine hair cells and affect the transmission of signals to the auditory nerves. Usually, inner ear hearing loss cannot be addressed medically. However, this type of hearing loss can be corrected with a hearing aid in most cases.
Hearing loss caused by an outer or middle ear defect is called conductive hearing loss. Damage to the inner ear, is called sensorineural hearing loss. If both types occur together, the condition is called mixed hearing loss.
Degrees of heairng loss
Between “hearing well” and “hearing nothing” lies a wide range of different degrees of hearing loss. Experts distinguish between mild, moderate, severe and profound hearing loss. Most cases of hearing loss are categorized as mild or moderate.
Mild hearing loss
Soft noises are not heard. Understanding speech is difficult in a loud environment.
Moderate hearing loss
Soft and moderately loud noises are not heard. Understanding speech becomes very difficult if background noise is present.
Severe hearing loss
Conversations have to be conducted loudly. Group conversations are possible only with a lot of effort.
The sound of speech
Human speech consists of vowels and consonants at different loudness and frequency levels. They are recorded on the audiogram as a so-called “speech banana”. It is an easy way to check whether the entire spectrum of speech is still audible and how a person’s hearing changes with time.
Consequences of hearing loss
Hearing loss often has complex consequences
Many facets of everyday life become increasingly more difficult. Conversations with loved ones, meetings, phone calls and watching TV can be particularly challenging. In many cases, people with hearing loss will withdraw and become socially isolated. Their quality of life diminishes noticeably.
Social consequences
Studies have shown that people with hearing loss who do not use hearing aids experience more sadness, fear and anxiety than hearing aid users. They reduce their social activities, become emotionally unstable and have trouble concentrating.
On the other hand, studies also show that hearing aid users experience a dramatically increased quality of life as soon as they start using a hearing aid. They maintain better family relationships, have more self-confidence and experience more independence and security.
Physical consequences
If hearing loss is not corrected, it can result in physical issues such as tiredness or fatigue, headaches, vertigo and stress.
What is an audiogram?
An audiogram is a graphic representation of your hearing ability. During a hearing test, your hearing is checked at different frequencies. The result is recorded as a characteristic audiogram curve.
The frequencies
The horizontal scale at the bottom indicates the different frequencies. The low frequencies (e.g. the hum of an engine) are located on the far left, the high sounds (e.g. the twitter of a bird) on the far right.
The loudness level
The vertical scale indicates the loudness level of the respective frequency, from soft (top) to loud (bottom). Values are given in decibels, abbreviated as dB. The healthy human ear begins to perceive sounds starting at 0 dB and reaches the threshold of pain at 110 dB.
Thanks Phonak for providing the contents and images.