You may lose the ability to hear some or most sounds with one or both ears. Understand everything about different types of hearing loss on World Hearing Day.
Aging is often blamed on hearing loss. This is a condition in which a person’s ability to hear sounds is reduced or completely impaired. However, it can develop gradually due to exposure to loud noises and infections. This emphasizes listening to music at a relatively low volume and keeping your ears clean. Some people are born with this problem that can affect one or both ears. By 2050, the World Health Organization (WHO) expects that around 2.5 billion people around the world will suffer from some degree of hearing loss. Explore different types of hearing loss on World Hearing Day, celebrated on March 3rd.
What types of hearing loss are there?
There are four types of hearing loss you should know:
1. Conductive hearing loss
“It occurs when sound waves cannot properly reach the inner ear due to blockage or dysfunction in the outer or middle ear,” says Dr. Aditi Rabindra, an ENT specialist. Often, it muffles or reduces sound perception, shows difficulty hearing soft or distant sounds, or shows a sense of fullness or pressure in the ear. It may also be accompanied by ear pain, discharge from the hospital, or frequent ear infections. “It is generally caused by accumulation of ear waves, infections, and fluid accumulation due to perforated eardrums or foreign bodies in the ear canal,” experts say.
2. Sensory hearing loss
This type involves damage to the inner ear (cow) or the auditory nerve. It affects the transmission of sound signals to the brain. Sounds are usually difficult to understand, especially in noisy places, along with perception of distorted or muffled sounds. “People may experience tinnitus (sing their ears) and may have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds,” experts say. It is often caused by aging, loud noise, genetic factors, and prolonged exposure to infections such as measles and measles.
3. Mixed hearing loss
This is a combination of two types of hearing loss: electrical conductivity and sensory hearing loss. It means that there is both obstruction and damage to the inner ear in the outer or middle ear. This includes symptoms from both electrically conductive and sensory types of hearing loss, such as hearing loss, sensation of blocked ears, and the possibility of tinnitus. It can be caused by chronic ear infections or exposure to aging or loud noise.
4. Auditory neural disorder spectrum disorder
In this type, the sound is usually heard. However, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, damage to the inner ear does not organize sounds in a way the brain can understand. People with this type of problem complain that they can hear the sound but can’t understand them. All words may seem confused, and it can be difficult to distinguish words with similar sounds. It may be due to premature birth, lack of oxygen at birth, or a lack of neonatal yellowund, which can damage its connection to the auditory nerves and brain. “In adults, nerve damage caused by conditions such as autoimmune disorders or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease can lead to auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders,” says Dr. Rabindra.
Types of hearing loss: Which is the most common?
Of the various types of hearing loss, sensory hearing loss is the most common. According to a study published in Statpearls in 2023, “5-27 people per 100,000 people affect 5-27 people per 100,000 people each year. “Long-term exposure to loud music and environmental noise pollution contributes greatly to that, but this type is especially common due to age-related degeneration of the inner ear,” experts say.
To minimize the risk of developing one of the most common types of hearing loss, proceed to hearing protection, noise reduction, and regular hearing diagnosis.
How to treat different types of hearing loss?
Here are some ways to treat different types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss: It depends on the cause behind it. According to the UK National Health Service, if the cause is an ear infection, it could be treated with antibiotics. In the case of Earwax accumulation, it may be helpful to remove it and use ear drops.
- Sensory hearing loss“This is usually permanent, but hearing aids and cochlear implants help amplify sounds and improve communication,” experts say. If the cause is sudden hearing loss due to a viral infection or an autoimmune disease, corticosteroids may help reduce inflammation and improve hearing.
- Mixed hearing loss: Focus on the management of ear infections, then use hearing aids or implants on sensory components.
- Auditory neural disorder spectrum disorder: Some people benefit from cochlear implants that directly stimulate the auditory nerves. “In children, early speech therapy intervention is essential for language development,” says the expert.
There are many different types of hearing loss, if it can be caused by aging or exposure to loud noise. Ear infections and even ear cleaning can affect your ability to listen. Sometimes hearing problems can become a temporary problem. You may need antibiotics to treat it. Therefore, beware of this type and be treated accordingly. However, do not take your medicine yourself.
Related FAQs
How to check for hearing loss?
Examinations are performed to check for visible obstructions, infections, or abnormalities in the ear canal and eardrum. Audiometry tests often allow people to hear different frequencies and intensities of sound, and the results are recorded on an audiogram.
What is the biggest risk of hearing loss?
The biggest risk of hearing loss is prolonged exposure to loud sounds. Continuous exposure to sounds above 85 decibels, including loud music, heavy machinery, and explosions, can damage the delicate hair cells of cows and lead to permanent hearing loss. Another major risk factor is aging, as natural degeneration of the auditory system causes slow hearing loss over time. Genetic predispositions also play an important role, with some people becoming more vulnerable to hearing loss due to their genetic conditions.
At what age does hearing loss begin?
Hearing loss can begin at any age, depending on the underlying cause. Age-related hearing loss usually begins gradually in the 40s or 50s and becomes more pronounced after the 60s. However, hearing loss caused by noise can occur much faster, especially in people who are exposed to high volume music, industrial noise, or the frequent use of large volumes of headphones. Several forms of hearing loss are present from birth due to genetic factors or complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Infectious diseases such as childhood measles, mumps, and meningitis can also cause early onset hearing loss.
