The Ageing Process
One in ten people suffer some hearing loss but for those over the age of 55 it is one in five. Hearing loss can happen at any age. According to RNID, there are around 9 million people who are deaf or hard of hearing in the UK. Most of them have lost their hearing gradually with increasing age. Over half of people aged over 60 are hard of hearing or deaf. Hearing loss can also occur at a younger age. There are about 123,000 people over 16 who were born hearing but have developed severe or profound deafness.
The Ear
The ear consists of three parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear.
Sound waves come into the outer (external) ear and hit the eardrum causing it to vibrate. Behind the eardrum, in the middle ear, are three tiny bones (ossicles) - the malleus, incus, and stapes. The vibrations pass from the eardrum to these middle ear bones. The bones then transmit the vibrations to the cochlea in the inner ear.
The cochlea contains tiny cells called hair cells which move in response to the vibrations passed from the ossicles. The movement of these hair cells generates an electrical signal that is transmitted to the brain through the auditory nerve. The cochlea converts the vibrations to sound signals which are sent down the the ear nerve to the brain which we 'hear'.
Causes of hearing loss
There are many possible causes of hearing loss. Typically these include:
- Natural ageing process
- Exposure to loud or constant noise
- Illness or complications at birth
- Toxic medication
- Ear infection
- Trauma
- Injury
Types of hearing loss
Conductive Hearing Loss is interference with the transmission of sound from the outer to the inner ear. Causes can include middle ear infections (otitis media)
- collection of fluid in the middle ear ("glue ear" in children)
- blockage of the outer ear (by wax)
- damage to the eardrum by infection or an injury
In many cases this type of hearing loss will benefit from the use of a hearing aid system, sometimes in conjunction with medication and/or surgery. Furthermore in some cases of conductive hearing loss surgery and/or medication is the only option.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Disorder of the inner ear. Such hearing loss is irreversible. Tremendous advances in hearing instrument technology enable most patients to be significantly rehabilitated.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Contains elements of both Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss.
Wear and tear on the inner ear hearing nerve means that certain sounds become increasingly difficult to hear resulting in any of the following symptoms
Diagnosing hearing loss
In adults, hearing loss may be very gradual, as in age-related hearing loss, or it can be very sudden, as in some viral infections of the inner ear. You should see your GP or a registered UK hearing aid dispenser, if you, your friends or your family think that your hearing is deteriorating.
Common Symptoms:
- Others complain that you have turned the TV or Radio up too loud
- People appear to mumble or you can't clearly hear every word that is being said particularly when there is background noise, in crowds or when voices are high pitched (e.g. children)
- You ask others to repeat themselves
- You have difficulty hearing the doorbell or the telephone ring
- You have difficulty hearing at a distance in public gatherings, concert halls, churches etc
- You are not sure where sounds are coming from - in front of or behind you, or even from left or right
A person who experiences hearing loss can have a range of tests, usually at a registered UK hearing aid dispenser or audiology clinic. Examination of each ear is followed by an audiometric hearing assessment which will enable the dispenser to determine if a hearing aid is required and if so which model would be most suitable for you.
Treating hearing loss
If there is no cure for the hearing loss (as with age-related hearing loss), a hearing aid for one or both ears will help most people, whether the hearing loss is the result of conductive or sensorineural problems. Many different types of hearing aid are available and the the registered hearing aid dispenser will advise as to which type best suits your needs.
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