Hearing loss looks different on everyone. It can come on suddenly and cause permanent damage and it can gradually occur and make it difficult to identify. It even ranges from mild to profound and may vary across different pitches and frequencies. This is why Beltone Sound conducts a series of hearing tests before prescribing a solution. Our hearing aid specialists need to understand the unique nature of your hearing loss in order to match you with the best products possible.
One of the most significant answers hearing tests can provide is whether your hearing loss can be categorized as conductive, sensorineural or mixed. This helps establish a foundation for the symptoms you are experiencing and helps determine the ideal solution.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss may be characterized by sounds that are muffled or far too quiet. It occurs when there’s an issue with the way that sound is taken to the inner ear and a structure called the cochlea. This type of problem can be indicative of an issue with your ear canal, middle ear or eardrum.
There are several potential causes of conductive hearing loss, including:
- Ear infections in the outer or middle ear
- Severe earwax blockage
- Deterioration of the middle ear bones
- Other problems with inner ear components
If you have conductive hearing loss, it may be temporary or permanent. Conducting a full hearing test with a professional is the only way to make that determination.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
People with sensorineural hearing loss may struggle to discern speech from background noises and suffer from tinnitus. This type of hearing loss is caused by a problem with the sensory receptors in the hearing system.
It’s often the result of an abnormality or damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, which can prevent sounds from being transmitted to the brain properly. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent.
Sensorineural hearing loss can be a congenital condition in that it’s existed since birth. But it can also be caused by age or damage to the hair cells in the cochlea through infection, drugs, trauma or over-exposure to noise.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Finally, it’s also possible for you to be experiencing mixed hearing loss. This means that you have an issue with both your inner and outer ear components. It’s a diagnosis of co-occurring sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.
The best way to find out what type of hearing loss you have is to schedule an appointment. Our hearing aid specialists will evaluate your hearing system through tests and let you know what your best path forward is based on the results.