Hearing Health
There are various types and levels of hearing loss, making it essential to choose a hearing aid that aligns with your lifestyle and hearing goals.
How Do We Hear?
Hearing begins with tiny vibrations in the ear, where both the ear and the brain play crucial roles in processing sound. The ear transforms these sound vibrations into signals that the brain can interpret. The brain is the most vital part of hearing, as it converts these signals into meaningful information. The ear itself consists of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each part has a unique function in the hearing process.
Types Of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can greatly affect quality of life, making it essential to understand the different types and appropriate treatments. Conductive, sensorineural, mixed, and unilateral hearing loss each have unique causes and solution. Recognizing whether hearing loss is congenital or acquired also guides effective management. This overview will help you identify and address your specific hearing needs.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass through the ear canal or middle ear, often due to an obstruction or trauma. Common causes include fluid, earwax buildup, or infections. This type of hearing loss can sometimes be treated with medication or surgery.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type, accounting for about 90% of all hearing loss cases. It results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Common causes include aging, noise exposure, injury, and genetic factors. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are the primary solutions for managing this type of hearing loss.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, affecting multiple parts of the ear.
Congenital vs. Acquired Hearing Loss
Congenital hearing loss is present at birth, while acquired hearing loss develops later in life due to factors such as illness, injury, or prolonged exposure to loud noise.
Hearing Loss In One Ear
Unilateral hearing loss (UHL) refers to hearing loss in one ear while the other ear hears normally. Solutions for UHL include wearing a hearing aid on the affected ear or using Assistive Listening Devices.
Levels of Hearing Loss
Choosing the right hearing aid depends on the type and degree of your hearing loss, which can be determined through a professional hearing test.
Mild Hearing Loss
Individuals with mild hearing loss can hear most speech sounds but may struggle to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments. They often miss words or parts of sentences, making conversations challenging.
Moderate Hearing Loss
People with moderate hearing loss have significant difficulty understanding speech, even when spoken at a normal volume.
Severe Hearing Loss
Those with severe hearing loss cannot hear speech at a normal level and can only hear some loud sounds.
Profound Hearing Loss
Individuals with profound hearing loss cannot hear speech at all and only perceive very loud sounds.
Are You Having Difficulty Hearing?
Have you noticed more difficulty with your hearing?
Some signs include:
- Frequently asking people to repeat themselves
- Needing to turn up the volume on the TV
- Becoming less socially active
- Feeling tired from trying to keep up in conversations
A good place to start is to visit your hearing care professional for a hearing check.
- You can improve your hearing in 3 easy steps
- 1 Schedule Your Free Hearing Test
- 2 Explore Our Range of Hearing Aid Solutions
- 3 Enjoy Complimentary Follow-Up Fine-Tuning Visits
Get Started Today
Experience the difference with our professional and compassionate hearing healthcare services.
Contact us today to schedule your complimentary hearing test.