What's Hearing Loss?
The ear is made up of three different sections: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These three sections work together so you can hear and process sounds. Hearing loss or hearing impairment happens when a problem exists with one or more parts of the ear.
In most cases, someone who has a hearing loss or impairment will still be able to hear some sounds. The problem is with its speech clarity. Without clarity, communication is not effective and this inevitably affects relationships and quality of life.
Most Common Hearing Loss
Presbycusis – This is an age-related hearing loss. It refers to the slow loss of hearing that occurs as people get older. This is the most common loss affecting speech discrimination.
Otitis Media (Ear Infection) – Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear, the area just behind the eardrum. It happens when the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the nose, become blocked with fluid.
Noise Induced – This refers to losses due to the continued exposure to loud sounds over a long period of time.
Facts About Hearing Loss
- About 10% of the population are hearing impaired
- Sensorineural damage (nerve deafness) is the most common form of hearing loss
- Hearing instruments can improve hearing difficulty for approximately 95% of those who are hearing impaired
What can be done?
Some hearing losses can be treated by doctors. We will be able to refer you to an ENT specialist, should you need one.
For those losses that can be helped with the prescription of hearing instruments, we will advise you professionally on what is best for your hearing needs.
Loss of hearing can be gradual or sudden.
For most of us hearing loss occurs gradually and we may not notice the signs right away. We may not even recognize what we are missing and our families and friends are often the first to know.
Hearing test examines your hearing. It determines whether you are suffering from hearing loss and to what extent. Once the degree and type of hearing loss are determined, additional diagnostic option is considered where appropriate. Treatment for hearing loss can be medical, surgical or hearing amplification and hence it is best determined by the underlying cause of the hearing loss.