What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss occurs when the ear or auditory system is unable to process sound clearly or effectively, making it harder to hear, understand speech, or communicate in everyday situations. It can develop gradually or suddenly and may affect one or both ears. Hearing loss can impact people of all ages and is influenced by factors such as ageing, noise exposure, illness, genetics, or injury. To better understand hearing loss and why it occurs, it’s helpful to first explain how the hearing system works and how sound travels through the ear.
How Does Hearing Work?
How Is The Ear Built?
Sound waves travel through 3 key parts of the ear. The outer ear (or the pinna), move inwards through the auditory canal, then vibrate. The vibration transforms because of tiny bones in the ear (malleus, incus and stapes). From there the inner ear (cochlea) begins to work. Through fluid and tiny hairs in the cochlea (cilia), electrical activity connects to neutrons and we hear sounds. We connect these sounds to images as we develop and once we can differentiate sounds, this is what we call hearing.
Hearing loss comes in different severities. For example, an elderly man may have difficulty hearing anything if he goes without hearing aids. But a younger woman might have difficulties hearing the highest note on a piano key, but otherwise, can easily hear other sounds without complications.
How Is Sound Measured?
We measure sound by hertz. While the intensity of a sound is measured in decibels from 0 to 140. To put it in perspective, the 140 would equal the sound of a gun shot blasting in your ear, while 0 would be absolute silence. If you were to hear constant gunshot blasts beside your ear, it would be very overwhelming and eventually, you’d suffer a severe degree of hearing loss.
What Triggers Hearing Loss?
Excessive noise, such as gun blasts, are a huge trigger for hearing loss. Repeated loud noises degenerates the quality of hearing of an individual over a period of time. This can be caused by simple triggers like listening to music loudly through ear buds, or even by the constant loud whirring of machines during construction services. Encouragingly, 71% of Australians believe listening to music through headphones will have the greatest impact on their hearing. Since loud music is a part of the excessive noise, it proves we understand how important small triggers are when related to our hearing.
Can Hearing Loss Be Fixed?
There is no cure for hearing loss but there are solutions that help correct and improve your hearing. A correctly fitted hearing aid can restore up the 80% of your hearing and can improve the quality of your life out of sight. At Hearing Choices we’re educating people about the effectiveness of modern listening devices. We’re also making hearing care more affordable and more accessible than ever before.
What are the 3 Primary Types of Hearing Loss?
In Australia, hearing loss is growing rapidly. Currently, 1 in 6 (17.4%) of Aussies have some sort of hearing loss, and the rate is rising as the decades pass. By 2050, it’s expected to be more than 1 in 4 (26.7%) of Aussies. And every 3 out of 4 Aussies over 70 years old will also be affected by hearing loss 1. The good news is we have many resources to help those suffering with hearing loss. Furthermore, there are solutions available for people with hearing issues to lead the same productive and enjoyable life as anyone else. Did you know the most effective way of combating hearing problems is with hearing aids?
There Are 3 Main Types Of Hearing Loss. Conductive, Sensorineural and Combined Hearing Loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
In Conductive Hearing Loss, transduction of sound is impaired due to some kind of physical damage. As a result sound cannot be converted into action potential.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss occurs when both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss are present at the same time, affecting multiple parts of the hearing system.
Different Causes Of Hearing Loss
In this section explain the main types of hearing loss and how hearing loss can affect both children and adults throughout life. Understanding the differences between conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss can help you recognise the cause of hearing difficulties and determine the most appropriate treatment options. Hearing loss may be present from birth or develop over time due to factors such as ageing, noise exposure, illness, or medical conditions, and early identification is essential to support communication, hearing health, and overall quality of life.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Pertains to problems in the middle ear prevent hearing from developing in the inner ear. This isn’t necessarily permanent but it can be. An example of this is tinnitus.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
When the hairs in the cochlea are damaged or destroyed we develop sensorineural hearing loss. Caused by excessive noise or exposures.
Combined or Mixed Hearing Loss
Caused by a mixture of conductive hearing loss and Sensorineural hearing loss.
Hearing Loss in Children
Hearing loss can affect children and adults through various stages of life. But certain influences and scenarios can cause hearing loss directly.
Often hearing loss is caused at birth (congenial) as defects develop during pregnancy. For Sensorineural hearing loss in children common triggers are infections, like early meningitis or repeated ear infections. And hearing loss at young ages greatly affects speech development.
Hearing Loss in Adults
Often sensorineural and connected directly to ageing, the excessive noise comes into play. In Australia, this is becoming more prominent, which is why hearing loss while ageing is becoming a developing problem. It can also be caused by conditions such as otosclerosis , Neuritis and Usher Syndrome.
Hearing Loss Causes: Further Information and Resources
To find out more information about the varying types of hearing loss causes, visit topic pages:
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a common hearing-related condition that affects many Australians, yet it’s often misunderstood. If you hear ringing, buzzing, humming, or other sounds in your ears when there’s no external noise, you’re not alone. Tinnitus can range from mild and occasional to persistent and disruptive, and it can impact concentration, sleep, and overall quality of life. Understanding what tinnitus is, what causes it, and when to seek help is the first step toward managing its effects and protecting your hearing health.
Hearing Loss Impact On Different Ears
Everyone experiences different symptoms when it comes to hearing loss.
People tend to assume hearing loss occurs in both ears, but that’s not the case. Usually, one ear is considered the “worse” ear while the other, which can hear better, is thus named the “better” ear. This is asymmetrical hearing loss.
This brings up two specific problems: difficulty differentiating where sound is coming from, and problems with picking up specific sounds in the background. For example, you may be able to hear a bus coming, but have difficulty hearing a conversation taking place in front of you while the bus is driving by. Thus hearing with your “worse” ear can cause problems while working, in classrooms, or just listening to music from home.
This can make it tricky to find proper hearing aids. Especially when the younger generation, while in favour of using hearing aids to help with hearing loss, are less likely to use them. They feel the colour and styles don’t ‘suit’ them. As age increases, the general consensus to use hearing aids regardless of its appearance, rose. 15% of older Australians understand their hearing isn’t the best and supplement it with hearing aids. Overall, 57% of Australians stated they would wear a hearing aid if their hearing deteriorated, and 41% said “maybe.”
At Hearing Choices we explore all types of Ear related conditions including Vertigo and other conditions such as BPPV and Meniere’s Disease.
