Hearing loss can feel like uncharted territory when you aren\u2019t sure how or why it happened. Hearing loss can develop at any age and can be caused by many different factors. Did you know that only five percent of hearing loss in adults can be improved medically or surgically? The vast majority of American\u2019s with hearing loss can be treated by hearing aids. Before looking into treatment options, however, it\u2019s important to understand the different types and causes of hearing loss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three categories that help define the type of hearing loss, identified by the part of the ear that been affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a breakdown of each:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sensorineural:<\/strong> the most common type of hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is easily treated with hearing aids. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear nerves are damaged and don\u2019t send the right messages to the brain. Consequently, sounds become muffled and unclear, even when someone is speaking directly into the ear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What can cause SNHL? Here is a quick list: Conductive:<\/strong> While SNHL cannot be medically or surgically treated, conductive hearing loss sometimes can. Conductive hearing loss is rarer and occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently to the eardrum and the tiny bones of the middle ear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Possible Causes: Mixed:<\/strong> A combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss can be caused by a number of different causes and can usually be treated surgically, medically or with hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Aging
\u2013 Genetics
\u2013 Exposure to loud noise
\u2013 Illness
\u2013 Ototoxic drugs
\u2013 Head trauma
\u2013 Malformation of the inner ear<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Impacted earwax
\u2013 Fluid in the middle ear
\u2013 Ear infection
\u2013 Allergies
\u2013 Infection in the ear canal
\u2013 Swimmer\u2019s ear
\u2013 Presence of a foreign object
\u2013 Perforated eardrum
\u2013 Benign tumors
\u2013 Malformation of the outer ear, ear canal or middle ear<\/p>\n\n\n\n