Unfortunately, hearing loss is a problem that’s more common than you think. It affects many individuals, especially older folks, to a certain level. Some may have it worse, some not. Regardless, hearing loss can hamper one’s ability to enjoy their everyday life, and it can make things like listening to music or making conversations a lot more challenging. In some cases, it can even be dangerous, such as the inability to hear fire alarms and the like.
That said, there are many types of hearing loss, some you might have heard of before and some new to you. Today, we’re going to outline the various types of hearing loss to help you understand what they are caused by and what they do:
1. Acoustic Trauma
Acoustic trauma is a hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear after exposure to a very loud sound. This may include things like listening to loud music at a concert, construction work, and even exposure to gunshots. Most people who suffer from this type of hearing loss will recover most of their hearing, but there are cases where the hearing loss may be permanent.
2. Presbycusis
Presbycusis is hearing loss that happens naturally as a person gets older. It’s usually a gradual process and occurs as the ear and auditory nerves deteriorate due to ageing. It may also be caused by things like exposure to loud noise over time, medications, and diseases like diabetes. The good news is that it can be treated, and some cases can even be reversed.
3. Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the ear canal, eardrum, and other parts involved in the process of transferring sound. It may be caused by things like infections, earwax buildup, and certain types of tumours. In most cases, the hearing loss can be treated and the eardrum repaired.
4. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by problems in the inner ear and the auditory nerve, and they are often irreversible. It can be caused by things like loud noises, the ageing process, and head injuries. It’s more common in older folks, but it can occur at any age.
5. Mixed Hearing Loss
This is a type of hearing loss that involves both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It’s often caused by things like head injuries, certain types of infections, and exposure to loud noises. As you may imagine, it can be harder to treat than conductive hearing loss alone. This is because the solution has to address the mixed type of hearing loss and not just a particular one to ensure effectiveness.
Conclusion
Dealing with any of the above hearing loss types is never fun. They all affect your hearing one way or the other, and sometimes, the damage is permanent. Fortunately, the good news is that there are treatments available for those who suffer from hearing loss. These can include various hearing aids and other devices, as well as surgery if it’s needed. For most who suffer from hearing loss, it can be treated and corrected. All they have to do is seek help and not let the problem get in the way of enjoying life.
Horizon Hearing offers help to those dealing with hearing losses and custom solutions to help individuals get their hearing ability back. If you are looking for a full-service hearing centre in Canada, reach out to us today!