Do you struggle to hear while in social situations? Are the high frequencies missing from the sounds you hear, leaving you unable to pick up on those delicate cues in conversation? These are both hearing loss symptoms of a common hearing problem known as high-frequency.
This type of hearing loss is just one of dozens of common categories of hearing loss. This article will take a look at some common types of hearing loss and what each of them entails. That way, you’ll have a general idea of what to look for should you suspect a hearing loss in yourself or a loved one.
Let’s get started!
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is the most common form of hearing loss and occurs when sound cannot effectively pass through the outer or middle ear. It is usually caused by blockages or structural damage in the ear. Common causes include:
- physical blockages from wax
- fluid build-up
- a malformation
- absent ossicles
- perforated eardrums
Hearing loss treatment may include wax removal, antibiotics, medications, or surgery. In more severe cases, conductive hearing loss may be managed with hearing aids. Hearing aids are an effective way to amplify sound, helping to correct the loss of hearing.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
It is a type of permanent hearing impairment that affects the inner ear. It is caused by damage to the delicate hair cells found within the cochlea, typically due to aging, exposure to loud noises, and a hereditary disorder. This damage impairs the ability of the ear to process and carry sound signals to the brain, where speech is ultimately understood.
Symptoms include:
- difficulty hearing quieter sounds
- hearing muffled
- distorted speech
- difficulty speech in noisy environments
Treatment can vary from hearing aids to cochlear implants depending on the severity and cause. In cases of severe hearing loss, a hearing aid may be the only option.
Mixed Hearing Loss
It is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, often occurring at the same time. Mixed hearing loss will involve the inability to hear both certain sounds and also overall volume.
This can occur as a result of physical issues, such as blocked ear canals or a punctured eardrum, or because of issues with the inner ear, such as an impacted wax buildup or changes to the bones in the ear. Mixed hearing loss can range in severity, so how it affects one person may be different than how it affects another.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
It is caused by continual exposure to loud sounds over an extended period. NIHL can result from a single, very loud sound, such as an explosion, or from long-term exposure to noise over 85 decibels. Possible causes include recreational activities such as hunting, sporting events, listening to music through headphones, and attending loud concerts.
Symptoms of NIHL can include:
- ringing in the ear
- partial or total hearing loss
- the feeling of muffled sounds
The severity of NIHL can range from slight to profound and can worsen with time. Treatment includes hearing aids, sound therapies, and even surgically implanted hearing devices. Prevention is key, and noise reduction, hearing protection, and regular maintenance are all important methods to avoid noise-induced hearing loss.
Presbycusis
It is the cumulative result of a number of age-related changes which affect the auditory system, including the structures of the inner ear, the nerves, the central auditory pathways, and the brain. This typically begins around age 60 and progresses with age.
Symptoms can range from a slight difficulty in hearing high-pitched sounds to a severe overall reduction in hearing. It starts with difficulty in hearing sounds at high frequencies and may progress to a severe reduction in hearing in all ranges of sound. Treatment of presbycusis is limited. However, there are various coping strategies and assistive technologies available to help.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged or fails to function properly, which can be caused by aging, illness, or physical trauma. Mixed hearing loss occurs when there is both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
It is a type of sensorineural hearing loss that develops over a very short period of time (hours or days) and with a great degree of severity. It is caused by a viral infection or vascular abnormality, and if treatment is not provided, it may result in permanent hearing loss.
Acquired Hearing Loss
It occurs suddenly or over time and requires medical attention. Common causes are:
- head injury signs of aging
- exposure to loud noise
- a stroke
- certain medications
- illnesses
- health conditions
It is the most common type of hearing impairment among adults and affects about 39% of those aged 45-64 in the USA. It is also the leading cause of hearing loss in individuals over the age of 65. Acquired hearing loss can also be conductive or sensorineural.
High-Frequency Hearing Loss
High-Frequency Hearing Loss is characterized by difficulty in understanding speech, especially when there is background noise, as well as an inability to hear high-pitched sounds, such as a phone ringing. This is because the sound waves entering the ear are not able to be interpreted correctly.
Treatment primarily involves using hearing aids or other assistive devices such as cochlear implants. These devices can be programmed to amplify and filter high-frequency noises. Patients with High-Frequency Hearing Loss may also benefit from speech therapy should they need to improve their speech understanding and production.
Low-Frequency Hearing Loss
This affects those in the lower range of hearing frequencies, which are typically below 2000 Hz. Those affected by this type of hearing loss often have difficulty understanding low-pitched sounds and cannot hear as well in noisy environments. This condition can also cause difficulty in conversing with others since they may be unable to distinguish different voices or notice when a conversation changes topics.
Low-frequency hearing loss is most common in those over 50 years old but can also occur due to other health conditions or complications resulting from chronic exposure to loud noise, such as factory work or loud music.
Bilateral Hearing Loss
Bilateral hearing loss, also known as bilateral deafness, affects both ears. It can be caused by a variety of circumstances, such as infection, trauma, inherited genetics, and prolonged exposure to loud noise. Bilateral hearing loss reduces a person’s ability to detect high- and low-frequency sounds, making it difficult to understand speech and discriminate between similar-sounding words.
Without treatment, people with this hearing loss may experience communication difficulties and educational or employment challenges. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and special education services can help people with bilateral hearing loss hear and understand better in daily life.
Unilateral Hearing Loss
Unilateral hearing loss (UHL) is a type of hearing loss in which one ear has lower hearing ability than the other. UHL can be caused by impacted earwax, damage to the eardrum or middle ear, a single-sided inner ear defect, abnormal auditory nerve development, or a tumor. This is not always noticed, as people may focus on their better-hearing ears.
Common symptoms of UHL include difficulty hearing in a noisy environment, not being able to tell which direction a sound is coming from, and ringing in one ear. People with UHL can benefit from hearing aids, sound-amplifying systems, and support groups. Personalized strategies such as lip reading and familiarizing one’s self with sound localization techniques can help people with UHL hear better.
Progressive Hearing Loss
Progressive hearing loss can be caused by aging or chronic disease. Most commonly, progressive hearing loss is caused by age-related damage to the structures in the inner ear. People with progressive hearing loss often have difficulty understanding conversations in noisy environments because the background noise can mask speech.
Treatment usually involves hearing aids or other assistive devices, which are designed to amplify sound. In some cases, cochlear implants may be recommended to help improve hearing in those with significant hearing loss.
Fluctuating Hearing Loss
Fluctuating hearing loss changes over time depending on a variety of external factors. It may include temporary, partial, or complete hearing loss that is caused by a virus or other medical condition. Common causes of fluctuating hearing loss include allergies, viral or bacterial infections, excessive earwax buildup, acoustic trauma, and more.
It can cause severe discomfort and is very distressing. To learn more about hearing aids, possible treatments, and how to find the right hearing aid for you, speak with a hearing professional today and take the first step towards better hearing.
Learn More About The Types Of Hearing Loss Today
Hearing loss can range from mild to profound and can be caused by a variety of external and internal factors. We have learned the main types of hearing loss and the causes associated with each. Clearly, hearing loss can range from mild to severe, and it is important to consult a medical specialist should any signs or symptoms arise.
Get help with understanding hearing aid options that best fit your lifestyle and budget from a medical professional or audiologist today.
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