Noticing that something is wrong with your hearing can be both scary and nerve-wracking. However, panic will not get you anywhere. You need to set an appointment and get your hearing checked as early as possible. Hearing loss comes in four different types.
While your hearing clinicians can help you determine which one you suffer from, knowing each type would also give you an idea of what kind of case you have.
Different Types of Hearing Loss
Before you panic, here are the different types of hearing loss conditions that you might encounter:
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
Sensorineural Hearing Loss is a permanent type of hearing loss. It occurs when there are problems with the auditory nerve pathways in one’s inner ear leading to the brain. When you experience this kind of hearing loss, you will have difficulty hearing soft sounds. Even louder sounds would sound muffled and unclear to you as the condition blocks any noise signals you encounter daily.
This type of hearing loss can be challenging to repair, but it can be treated with other hearing solutions like hearing aids or cochlear implants. These solutions would help you make your everyday life more manageable.
Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL)
Conductive Hearing Loss can be a temporary or permanent hearing disorder caused by problems in the middle or outer ear. Because of obstructions, sounds cannot reach the inner ear, making it difficult for the person to hear soft sounds. Louder sounds may be possible to hear, but they could also sound muffled.
Usually, wax impaction or untreated ear infections can damage the ear canal and result in this problem. Fortunately, certain medicines or surgery can fix this issue, but it needs to be treated as early as possible. If the damage becomes worse and more permanent, implants would be the best option.
When you notice that something is wrong with your hearing, it would be best to get a hearing loss test as soon as you can.
Mixed Hearing Loss
There are instances where you can get a combination of the SNHL or the CHL. Sometimes head trauma can affect various ear parts, but there are also cases when you may experience two different hearing issues in one.
The mixed hearing loss can be due to trauma to the ear caused by a loud sound. It could also happen to people with already existing hearing loss concerns whose hearing capabilities decline due to age. Early detection and treatment can help improve this condition. The patient might undergo surgery or require hearing aids or implants to hear more clearly.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL)
Like what its name suggests, people may also encounter a sudden loss of hearing for an unknown reason. It usually happens in one ear and could happen once or over several days. This type of hearing loss is considered a medical emergency. You should visit a hearing clinician immediately.
Single-Sided Deafness (SSD)
This condition shows a severe reduction in hearing. One ear may be considered deaf or non-functional. This condition may begin from birth, but it can also develop over time. SSD can either be caused by SNHL or CHL. In some cases with this hearing problem, a hearing aid may not even benefit the patient.
The treatment procedure for this case would depend on the determined cause of the single-sided deafness and the duration of time you have been suffering from it.
Conclusion
Your ability to hear is an essential part of connecting to the world. Luckily, most of the hearing problems can possibly be treated. When you start to notice problems with your hearing, identifying which type you have is vital in ensuring that you get the proper solution. If you identify with any of the hearing loss conditions provided in this article, consult with your hearing clinicians as soon as possible.
CH Care is here to help you get the best hearing care solutions for your hearing loss problems. We have the complete hearing health care you need, including hearing loss tests and hearing aids. Schedule an appointment today by calling 1800 432 748.
