HEARING PROBLEMS AND HEARING LOSS
Your hearing is an amazing sense that connects you to the world around you.
It allows you to communicate with your family and friends, learn to read and be educated, engage fully in social and work situations and really appreciate the subtle joys of music, birdsong and all the other wonderful sounds that make your life really special.
Unfortunately, your hearing can be affected by a variety of conditions which can cause hearing loss and reduce your participation and enjoyment of life so it’s important to be aware of hearing problems when they start and seek help if you suspect any hearing loss in yourself or your child.
There are two main types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss, where the problem occurs in the outer or middle ear and sensorineural hearing loss, where the problem occurs in the inner ear (Cochlea and neural pathways to the brain).
Treatments can be very different for both but essentially the main reasons for hearing loss in these areas are:
The most common Conductive hearing loss causes are:
- Glue ear
- Wax build up or foreign bodies in the ear canal.
- Ear infections
- Damage to the ear drum
The most common Sensorineural hearing loss causes are:
- Presbyacusis (Age related hearing loss)
- Excessive noise exposure (e.g. Not using appropriate hearing protection)
- Viral inner ear infections
- Genetic hearing loss (Hereditary hearing loss)
As we get older we all develop Presbyacusis. Through many years of overwork and normal wear and tear the tiny hair cells in the inner ear break and cannot repair themselves. This means they cannot conduct the same amount of interesting hearing information up to the brain. This results in a hearing loss which increases further over time.
You may first notice this type of hearing loss if you’re not hearing too well in background noise or maybe having to have the TV up louder than others. You might find family gatherings and social occasions tiresome as you struggle to hear clearly.
We now know that this type of hearing loss contributes greatly to cognitive decline as the brain is working so hard to piece the reduced hearing signal together that it takes away energy needed for good cognition and can result in poor memory and slower thought processes in all areas. So, it’s not just your hearing that declines.
Whatever the cause for your hearing loss and however difficult you are finding it you can do something about it. Call us today and get back to better, brighter hearing and start enjoying life again.
