Find out the 3 Most Common Questions on Hearing Loss

When experiencing a health problem, you want to quickly get answers for it so that you can begin treatment options as soon as possible. The best and timely treatment can help get better and quicker results.    

When you have a cold or allergy, you treat them with different medications. The same thing goes with hearing loss. When you give more details about your experiences and problems, it makes it easier to narrow down the possible causes and treatments. You can think about:

1. What type of hearing loss am I experiencing?   
2. What caused it?
3. How severe are my symptoms?

When thinking about these things, you can address the specific issues with your hearing loss, discuss the best treatment options for you, and then go back to living your best life. 

What type of hearing loss am I experiencing?      

Hearing loss can be classified under three categories: sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, or mixed hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most prevalent type of hearing loss. It occurs when the inner ear nerves and hair cells have deteriorated - as a result of age, exposure to excessive noise, an injury, or an illness. This type of hearing loss cannot be corrected with medication or surgery, but it can be treated with hearing aids. 

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is caused by a blockage in the outer or middle ear. The blockage can be from earwax, fluid, a tumor, or even the way your ear is naturally formed. This obstruction prevents noise from traveling into the inner ear. Treatment options for conductive hearing loss include surgery or medication. 

Mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss is simply a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. 

Causes of hearing loss

There are a number of causes for hearing loss. The top two causes are aging and exposure to loud noises. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) are causes of sensorineural hearing loss. 

Here’s a list of other less common forms of hearing loss:

• Earwax buildup or a foreign object obstructing the ear canal
• Genetics
• Hypertension
• Injury
• Obesity
• Ototoxicity (medications that harm the auditory system)
• Smoking
• Viruses or diseases

How severe is my hearing loss?

The only way to find out is to get a hearing test by a trained professional on an audiogram. A number of tests will be administered, and there will be a record of your hearing thresholds. Your hearing instrument specialist will make note of the softest sounds that you are able to hear at various frequencies and tones. The results will be recorded on an audiogram - a visual depiction of the sounds you struggle to hear and how severe your hearing loss is. 

Schedule an appointment A.S.A.P.

To get answers to these three questions, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing and schedule an appointment. Our providers will give you a hearing test, go over your results, and treatment options.    

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