Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate – it can affect anyone at any age, whether you work in a noisy environment, enjoy listening to music or simply as part of the natural aging process. When you begin to notice changes in your hearing, it’s natural to feel concerned. But you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. The specialists at Evear Hearing are trained to identify and address all types of hearing challenges. We’ll work with you to thoroughly evaluate your hearing, pinpoint the exact cause of your difficulties and develop a personalised plan to protect your hearing health.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can exist in varying degrees and types. That’s why most treatment plans start with testing. We need to identify how hearing loss is impacting you personally to recommend the right form of care. Common types of hearing loss include:
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss means there’s a problem with how sound is being conducted to the inner ear and cochlea. It can happen because of an issue in the ear canal, eardrum or middle ear. However, the inner ear and auditory nerve usually remain unaffected in this form of hearing loss.
Some common causes of conductive hearing loss include:
- Ear infections in the outer or middle ear
- Complex earwax blockages
- The deterioration of the middle ear bones
- A hole in the eardrum
You should also know that conductive hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It depends on what’s causing the issue you’re experiencing.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is generally permanent. However, treatment can impact whether the degree of loss remains stable or worsens over time.
This form of hearing loss occurs when there’s an issue with the sensory receptors of the hearing system – often in the cochlea or auditory nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by:
- Congenital issues, such as abnormal hair cells
- Age-related hearing loss
- Damage to hair cells over time
Mixed Hearing Loss
Finally, you may also experience mixed hearing loss. This means your issue features elements of both conductive and sensorineural diagnoses. Mixed hearing loss can be permanent or temporary, depending on the unique characteristics of your hearing health problems.
The Dangers of Untreated Hearing Loss
As you consider whether to seek care for hearing loss, it’s worth exploring the downsides of waiting. Untreated hearing loss can make you feel disconnected from the world around you. That can lead to:
- Emotional challenges
- Social isolation
- Cognitive decline
- Other long-term health impacts
The data shows that untreated hearing loss can impact more than just your hearing system. That’s why it’s best to proactively seek care as you soon as you think may have a problem.