Hearing loss can come in many forms and variations depending on the person that has it and is not all caused by the same things. However, there is a lot of information that doctors have about hearing loss, and the most common aspects of it. This is important to learn if you or someone you know has a form of hearing loss. Even if you do not believe you have any problems with your hearing, consult with an audiologist or get tested for hearing loss as soon as you experience any difficulty hearing speech or any noises.
The most common type of hearing loss is within the inner ear, which is known as sensorineural or cochlear hearing loss. The other most common form is conductive, with “mixed” and “central” hearing loss also found in many patients. This means that the most typical causes of a loss of hearing stem from either problems in the inner ear, or flaws in the way sound is conducted through the ear.
90 percent of those with hearing aids have cochlear hearing loss, which occurs when there are problems in the inner ear. These problems result from aging, exposure to loud noise, issues in the hearing nerve, or disruptions in the blood flow and fluids of the inner ear.
The second type of hearing loss commonly found is conductive hearing loss, which has to do with the way sound conducts through the ear canal, drum, and bones of the ear. It can result from excessive earwax or fluid, infection, or disease in the bones of the middle ear. A person with conductive hearing loss feels like their ears are full or plugged up; chewing food or speaking can seem much louder to them than normal. If you or someone you know experiences this, even at the very slightest, it is crucial to see an audiologist and plan for any surgery or medical treatment necessary.
Source: Earinfo.com