About 700 million people suffer from hearing loss around the world. That’s a lot of people – 10% of the global population, in fact. But are they all experiencing the same type of hearing loss?
The answer is no. There are two main different types of hearing loss as well as different levels of hearing, from mild to profound. Everyone’s hearing loss is unique. In this article, we will go over the different types and levels of hearing loss.
Hearing loss, not to be confused with deafness, is when the sound signals from outside sources are not processed properly by the brain. Often it occurs gradually, but there are some cases when it will occur suddenly, and some people are even born with it.
When it comes to hearing loss, there are two main types that you should be aware of: sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. Typically you will experience one of these two, although some may experience mixed hearing loss, which is when both types occur.
Also known as SNHL, sensorineural hearing loss is the most common form of hearing loss, and can be managed, but usually not cured.
The symptoms of SNHL include:
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused when the hair cells inside the inner ear or the auditory nerve are damaged. This can be because of trauma, infection, viruses, or the natural ageing process.
Often there is no cure for sensorineural hearing loss as the damage is permanent. It’s recommended to treat the cause of the hearing loss where possible. Infections and illnesses that can be treated, should be treated quickly to help preserve as much of your hearing as possible.
Although it is usually permanent, SNHL can be managed through the use of tools such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or speech therapies.
Conductive hearing loss covers a range of conditions that block or partially obstruct sound waves from entering the middle ear, eardrum or outer ear. In many cases, conductive hearing loss can be treated, although some conditions can be permanent.
The symptoms can vary from mild hearing loss to pain in the ear:
Conductive hearing loss includes a range of conditions, including:
Treating conductive hearing loss will depend on the specific cause. Some conditions will go away on their own, others will need treatment. For example, excessive earwax may need an earwax removal treatment, infection might require antibiotics, and some conditions may also require surgery.
Although sensorineural and conductive hearing loss are the main two types, there are others which can be used to describe other aspects for loss of hearing.
Mixed hearing loss is exactly what it sounds like – a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss
These types of hearing loss Indicate whether one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) ears are affected by hearing loss
Progressive hearing loss happens over time while sudden hearing loss appears suddenly and should be investigated immediately.
Tinnitus is not a type of hearing loss itself, however it is often associated with hearing loss issues. It’s a condition in which you can hear sounds even though there’s no external noise. These sounds can range from low hums to a high pitched whistling or ringing and can impact your quality of life.
If you think you might have hearing loss, it’s important to become familiar with the signs of hearing loss and have it investigated as soon as possible. THCP offer free hearing tests to assess your hearing and whether you require hearing aids. We also have an online hearing test for you to take to help indicate if you should have your hearing tested.
If you suspect you or your loved one has hearing loss then the best thing you can do is to speak to a professional.