Types of Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing is a process where sound waves are collected in the ear, translated into vibrations, and conducted as impulses to the brain. When one of this function or part of the ear doesn’t play its role; there is impairment in hearing. The Types of hearing loss you have depends on what part of your hearing is damaged.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is caused by abnormalities in the ear canal, ear drum or middle ear. The abnormality could be due to an underlying heredity disorder, benign tumors, ear infection, blockage due to ear wax or fluid in the middle ear etc.

A person with a conductive hearing loss faces difficulty with the overall loudness of sounds. They are better able to hear sounds at higher frequency. Individuals with this kind of impairment can benefit with the use of a hearing aid that amplifies sound.

If the hearing loss is due to wax impaction, infection or abnormal growth in the ear, medical treatment and surgical procedures can help rectify the condition.

Taking a hearing test is critical to determine the degree and type of hearing loss you have. HNR Speech and Hearing Centre is one of the best Hearing Aid Centres in Hyderabad our audiologist will thoroughly assess your condition and suggest treatment.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused due to problems in the inner ear. These problems may be nerve-related. Due to damage in the auditory nerve or cells of the inner ear, the nerve signals are not properly carried to the brain. Therefore, a person suffering with sensorineural hearing loss will have trouble hearing loud volume and even though the sound reaches, it’s difficult to understand it as the brain doesn’t receive enough signals to decode the sound.

This type of impairment is most likely due to a genetic syndrome. There are also a variety of triggers that can cause sensorineural hearing loss. Exposure to loud noise, aging, tumors, defect in the inner ear structure – are some of the factors that can cause a gradual loss of sound receptors and nerve damage.

Since the person suffering with this condition can hear people speak but just miss on the clarity; wearing hearing aids or cochlear implant that stimulates cochlear nerve for hearing can benefit them. Again, it depends on the severity of the impairment.

Both conductive and mixed hearing losses can be treated medically or with the use of hearing aids or implants. At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, we treat sensorineural hearing loss by surgical implants that can directly stimulate the hearing nerve. This not only improves the sound hearing but also the ability to understand speech.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss, as the name suggests is a combination of two conditions that results in hearing loss. It occurs when the ear is under trauma of a long-lasting hearing impairment. Over time, the hearing loss is compounded by another making it severe.

Suppose, a person has age-related sensorineural hearing loss, this may be accompanied with an additional hearing loss due to wax impaction. Such a condition in temporary mixed hearing loss.

The treatment depends on the primary cause of hearing loss. If the greater portion of loss is due to conductive component, it can be treated with surgical procedures. On the other hand, if the primary loss is due to sensorineural component, using hearing aids can improve the condition.

At HNR Speech and Hearing Centre, our HCP will investigate the cause after taking your hearing test and suggest the right treatment options for your condition.  We have Different Types of Hearing Aids available in different sizes, styles and technologies that can be just the right fit for you.

Call us on 040-42018181 / +91 8237037087 to book a consultation with our experts.