Hearing loss can result from a variety of factors, including aging, loud noise exposure, genetic conditions, infections and even medication use. While some causes are preventable, others occur naturally over time.
Jump to insightThere are four main types of hearing loss each with distinct causes and treatment approaches. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and is often treated with hearing aids.
Jump to insightHearing loss varies beyond just type and severity; it can be sudden or progressive, affect one or both ears, and differ in frequency range. Identifying these characteristics helps professionals tailor treatment for individual needs.
Jump to insightWhat causes hearing loss?
There are many causes of hearing loss. Some of these causes are preventable, while others are out of a person’s control. Common causes of hearing loss include:
- Aging and deterioration of inner ear structure
- Exposure to loud noises
- Disease or illness
- Heredity causes
- Ear trauma
- Earwax or fluid buildup
- Certain medications
What are the types of hearing loss?
There are four types of hearing loss: sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and auditory neuropathy.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss is the result of damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. It is the most common type of hearing loss and can be caused by aging, loud noises, head trauma, illness or certain medicines. Hearing aids may help people with sensorineural hearing loss.
- Conductive hearing loss: Conductive hearing loss, also called conduction deafness, occurs when sound waves can’t reach the inner ear. Potential conductive hearing loss causes include benign tumors, ear infection, earwax or having a hole in the eardrum. Conductive hearing loss is treated with medicine or surgery.
- Mixed hearing loss: Mixed hearing loss refers to a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs when there is damage to the inner ear and the middle or outer ear. Mixed hearing loss is treated on a case-by-case basis.
- Auditory neuropathy: Auditory neuropathy occurs when the inner ear can’t successfully send sounds to the brain. The cause can be genetic mutations or damage to the auditory system, inner hair cells or auditory neurons. Research continues into the best treatment for auditory neuropathy.
Degrees of hearing loss
There are five levels to measure the severity of hearing loss: mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe and profound. The table below shows the severity of each category.
| Degree of hearing loss | Hearing loss in decibels | Cannot hear |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 26 - 40 dB | Ticking clocks, soft whisper, refrigerator humming |
| Moderate | 41 - 55 dB | Speech during a normal conversation |
| Moderately severe | 56 - 70 dB | Air conditioner, washing machine, dishwasher |
| Severe | 71 - 90 dB | Lawnmower, some loud sounds |
| Profound | 91+ dB | Loud TV or radio, most loud sounds |
The nature of hearing loss
Hearing loss has other characteristics beyond type and degree. Hearing loss can also be:
- Sudden or progressive
- Sudden hearing loss is when hearing loss develops very quickly; progressive hearing loss develops over time.
- Unilateral or bilateral
- Unilateral hearing loss, also called single-sided hearing loss, describes hearing loss in one ear only. Bilateral hearing loss refers to a loss of hearing in both ears.
- Asymmetrical or symmetrical
- Like worsening eyesight, hearing loss may be more severe in one ear than in the other. Asymmetrical hearing loss refers to a difference in hearing loss between one ear and the other. Symmetrical hearing loss refers to a relative match in hearing loss severity.
- Prelingual or postlingual
- A person with prelingual deafness experienced hearing loss before learning how to speak. Postligual hearing loss develops after a person has learned to speak.
- Acquired or congenital
- Congenital hearing loss refers to children who are born with hearing loss. Anyone who develops hearing loss after birth has acquired, or delayed onset, hearing loss.
- High-frequency
- People with high-frequency hearing loss have difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, including certain consonants and hissing noises. High-frequency deafness is typically caused by aging and damage to hair cells in the inner ear. Those with high-frequency hearing loss often feel their hearing is muffled or that they can hear but not understand people speaking.
- Fluctuating or stable
- Fluctuating hearing loss occurs when the degree of hearing loss changes over time. Stable hearing loss doesn’t get better or worse.
Hearing loss treatment
There are effective treatments for hearing loss, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, medicine and surgery. Physicians usually treat sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type, with hearing aids. However, those who have damage to their outer or middle ear may require medical treatment. If you’re experiencing sudden hearing loss, contact a doctor immediately.
Hearing impairment treatment is delicate, and you should not try any treatments without receiving a diagnosis and recommendation from a medical professional. A proper hearing loss solution can improve your day-to-day life.
FAQ
What are the common symptoms of hearing loss?
Some common symptoms of hearing loss include difficulty understanding speech, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the volume on electronic devices, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and struggling to hear in noisy environments.
How is hearing loss diagnosed?
Hearing loss is diagnosed through a series of tests conducted by an audiologist or healthcare provider. These tests include pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry and tympanometry, among others, to determine the type and severity of hearing loss.
How can I prevent hearing loss?
To prevent hearing loss, avoid exposure to loud noises, wear ear protection in noisy environments, limit the use of earphones at high volumes, maintain good ear hygiene, avoid sticking things in your ears such as cotton swabs and seek medical treatment for infections or other conditions that may affect hearing.
Bottom line
Each person’s hearing loss is different. Hearing care professionals consider the cause, type and degree of hearing loss before recommending a hearing loss solution. For many people, hearing aids improve hearing loss. Hearing aid technology advances every year, making it possible for more and more people to find a custom hearing solution that matches their needs.
