Facts About Hearing Health And Hearing Loss.
How do we hear?
How do we hear sound? Here is a quick overview of how our ears work:
Outer Ear: Known as the pinna or auricle, this visible portion of the ear gathers sounds from the surrounding environment and sends it down the ear canal.
Middle Ear: The vibration of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) transmits sound to the inner ear through three small bones (malleus, incus and stapes) that carry sound to the inner ear.
Inner Ear: Made up of two main parts: the cochlea, a system of complex hair cells (sensory cells) and the vestibular system that sends sound to the brain for final processing.
How do we hear sound? Here is a quick overview of how our ears work:
Outer Ear: Known as the pinna or auricle, this visible portion of the ear gathers sounds from the surrounding environment and sends it down the ear canal.
Middle Ear: The vibration of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) transmits sound to the inner ear through three small bones (malleus, incus and stapes) that carry sound to the inner ear.
Inner Ear: Made up of two main parts: the cochlea, a system of complex hair cells (sensory cells) and the vestibular system that sends sound to the brain for final processing.
Types of hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss
This type of hearing loss involves deterioration of the inner ear. The tiny hairs that line the ear passage and which carry sound have been damaged. This type of hearing loss is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to high volume levels, bacterial and viral infections, fluid build-up, sudden trauma to the ear, and the normal aging process. Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be treated with medication or surgery — hearing aids are the only way to treat this permanent condition.
Noise-Induced hearing loss
This type of hearing loss can affect anyone at any age. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is caused by exposure to loud sounds that damages or destroys the hair cells in your inner ear. NIHL can result from a single exposure to an extremely loud impulse sound (e.g., a shotgun blast close to your unprotected ears) or regular exposure over time to sounds exceeding 85 decibels (dB). Examples of how NIHL may occur over time include listening to music turned up to maximum volume through earbuds or working with construction machinery without wearing hearing protection.
Conductive hearing loss
This type of hearing loss occurs when the inner ear does not properly receive sound signals. It can be caused by injury to the middle ear or ear canal, fluid build-up behind the eardrum, or excessive earwax. Conductive hearing loss can usually be treated medically. If surgery or medication is not an option for you, hearing aids can be an excellent solution to your hearing problem.
Sudden hearing loss
Hearing loss usually comes on gradually due to age (presbycusis) or NIHL taking their toll. However, certain conditions can cause sudden hearing loss, including exposure to an extremely loud sound that causes immediate damage, certain diseases, tumor, head injury, or use of ototoxic
(“ear poisoning”) drugs. In most cases, hearing will return over time, either on its own or through medical intervention, but for some the hearing loss may be permanent.
This type of hearing loss involves deterioration of the inner ear. The tiny hairs that line the ear passage and which carry sound have been damaged. This type of hearing loss is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to high volume levels, bacterial and viral infections, fluid build-up, sudden trauma to the ear, and the normal aging process. Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be treated with medication or surgery — hearing aids are the only way to treat this permanent condition.
Noise-Induced hearing loss
This type of hearing loss can affect anyone at any age. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is caused by exposure to loud sounds that damages or destroys the hair cells in your inner ear. NIHL can result from a single exposure to an extremely loud impulse sound (e.g., a shotgun blast close to your unprotected ears) or regular exposure over time to sounds exceeding 85 decibels (dB). Examples of how NIHL may occur over time include listening to music turned up to maximum volume through earbuds or working with construction machinery without wearing hearing protection.
Conductive hearing loss
This type of hearing loss occurs when the inner ear does not properly receive sound signals. It can be caused by injury to the middle ear or ear canal, fluid build-up behind the eardrum, or excessive earwax. Conductive hearing loss can usually be treated medically. If surgery or medication is not an option for you, hearing aids can be an excellent solution to your hearing problem.
Sudden hearing loss
Hearing loss usually comes on gradually due to age (presbycusis) or NIHL taking their toll. However, certain conditions can cause sudden hearing loss, including exposure to an extremely loud sound that causes immediate damage, certain diseases, tumor, head injury, or use of ototoxic
(“ear poisoning”) drugs. In most cases, hearing will return over time, either on its own or through medical intervention, but for some the hearing loss may be permanent.
Sound pressure is measured in decibels (dB). ... With extended exposure, noises that reach a decibel level of 85 can cause permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. Many common sounds may be louder than you think… A typical conversation occurs at 60 dB – not loud enough to cause damage.