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Types of Hearing Loss

HEARING LOSS

TYPES OF HEARING LOSS.

Have you ever experienced ringing in your ears after a concert? Or, had blocked ears as a result of a cold? Most people will have experienced temporary hearing loss at least once in their lives.

Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear. It can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common being noise exposure and the natural ageing process.

In most cases hearing loss will develop gradually meaning the symptoms can often be difficult for an individual to recognise. This can cause some frustration for the person experiencing the hearing loss and their loved ones as communication becomes increasingly more difficult to navigate.

There are three main types of hearing loss, each with very different treatments, which is why an accurate diagnosis by a qualified audiologist is of utmost importance.

Conductive Hearing Loss

This is when sound can’t reach the inner ear. The most common causes are middle ear infections or wax build-up in the ear canal. Wax build-up is very common and easily resolved by ear micro-suction, a procedure we offer at most of our clinics.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

This is when the sensory hair cells in the cochlea are damaged. Because these cells can’t repair themselves, this type of hearing loss is generally irreversible, but it can be treated. The most common cause is ageing or long exposure to loud noise.

Mixed loss.

This is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. For example, this may be an age-related hearing loss, combined with an ear infection.

Next Steps.

Unsure if you have hearing loss?  Click here to take our quick hearing test to see if you would benefit from making an appointment with us.

If you feel you are currently experiencing some signs of hearing loss call us on 0800 005 641 or book a FREE hearing screening (available to anyone aged 18 years and over) with one of our expert audiologists.