There are three primary types of hearing loss. Each type of hearing loss is caused by defects in certain parts of the auditory system. Ear problems affect some parts of the normal hearing process.
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- Conductive Hearing Loss
- Mixed Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss
Most people suffer from sensorineural hearing loss. In simple words, it is the loss of the sensory part or hearing cells and auditory nerve. Hearing cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals. The auditory nerves send signals to the brain.
This hearing loss is caused by aging. As we age, all our organs and parts become weak. The nerves of the ear that carry audio signals to the brain also become weak. This reduces the ability of the nerves to carry sound signals. For some medical problems, doctors prescribe high doses of antibiotics. Sometimes the drugs are so strong that they damage the hearing cells and nerves in the inner ear or cochlea.
Conductive hearing loss
The second most common type of hearing loss is called Conductive Hearing Loss. As the name suggests, sound does not travel from the outer ear to the inner ear due to various reasons such as earwax production causing hearing loss. Earwax secretion is an important function of the ear. Earwax prevents dust and particles from entering the ear canal. In Some cases, more earwax is produced than normal. If the ears are not cleaned the time it blocks the passage of the ear canal. The chances of infection also increase. Cold and cough also cause ear infection which causes swelling and in some cases ear discharge. This prevents sound waves from reaching the inner ear.
Mixed hearing loss
As the name suggests the damage is partly due to sensorineural causes and partly due to conductive. It is a combination of conductive impairment and sensorineural hearing loss. There may be damage in the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or nerve pathway to the brain. This is a mixed hearing loss. Everything that causes a conductive hearing loss or SNHL can lead to a mixed hearing loss.
What does the expert say?
ENT Specialist in Gurgaon, says, It is advisable to take precautions and follow ear health tips to protect your ear power. We should strive to maintain good ear health and not delay the treatment of hearing loss.
We recommend that you consult an audiologist or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor for the treatment of hearing loss. The audiologist will confirm the type of hearing loss only by conducting audiometry and other necessary tests. Treatment of hearing loss depends on the degree or extent of the damage.
