Types of Hearing Loss: The Difference Between Sensorineural Hearing Loss & Conductive Hearing Loss
Sensory Hearing Loss is a hearing deficiency that comes from deficient or damaged sensory cells in the inner ear while Conductive Hearing Loss is caused by fluid, such as earwax, fluid accumulation in the middle ear.
What is a hearing loss?
There are many types of hearing loss, which can affect different parts of the ear. The most common type is called sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused by damage to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss is usually gradual and can be difficult to diagnose. Other types of hearing loss include conductive (or noise-induced) hearing loss and traumatic (or sudden) hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is caused by a problem with the way the inner ear processes sound. Traumatic hearing loss is often the result of an injury or sudden exposure to loud noise. Both types can be severe, and require specialized care from a doctor or specialist.
Factors that can cause hearing loss
There are many factors that can cause hearing loss, and not all of them are physical. Here are some of the most common causes:
Age: Hearing loss becomes more common as people get older, due to decreases in ink production in the ear drum and other changes in the inner ear.
Exposure to loud noise: Loud noises can damage the auditory nerve, leading to hearing loss. This can happen even if you only hear faint sounds or music, because over time the sound pressure will increase until it exceeds your threshold. Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss.
Occupational noise: Many jobs involve exposure to loud noise, such as working with machinery or being a police officer. Hearing loss caused by occupational noise is known as occupational deafness.
Earphones: If you have continuously using earphones, it damages your ears by loud noises.
Other medical conditions: Some medical conditions can damage the auditory system, including Ménière’s disease and laryngitis.
Types of hearing loss
There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the inner ear can no longer communicate with the brain to send sound signals. This is the most common type of hearing loss, and it’s usually caused by damage to the hair cells in the ear. Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a blockage in the auditory pathway between the ear and the brain. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive losses.
Signs of a Sensory Hearing Loss
If you have difficulty understanding people when they speak, there’s a good chance you have a sensory hearing loss. This type of hearing loss occurs when your hearing sensors can’t pick up certain frequencies of sound accurately. The result is that you may have trouble understanding spoken words and may need to raise your voice to be heard.
Signs of a sensory hearing loss include:
- Difficulty understanding spoken words
- Having to raise your voice to be heard
- Experiencing difficulty when attending noisy events or parties
Signs of a Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems with the auditory nerve. It’s most common in older adults, and can be caused by a number of things, including exposure to loud noise, head trauma, and tumors.
Signs of a conductive hearing loss include:
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Difficulty following a conversation
- Trouble understanding music
How to test for the difference between Sensory and Conductive Hearing Losses
If you are having trouble hearing others in conversation, it may be helpful to know the difference between Sensory and Conductive Hearing Loss. Sensory Hearing Loss is caused by a problem with the sensory cells in the inner ear that process sound. This can be caused by exposure to loud noises (like gunfire), diseases (like Ménière’s disease), or birth defects. Conductive Hearing Loss, on the other hand, is caused by a problem with the electronic signals that are sent from the inner ear to the brain. This can be caused by ear infections, aging, or damage done to the eardrum or cochlea (the tiny tube inside your ear that hears sound).
There is no one test that can determine if someone has Sensory or Conductive Hearing Loss. However, a doctor may be able to perform a hearing test called an audiogram to determine if there is a problem with your auditory system. If you are experiencing difficulty hearing in noisy environments, it is advisable to see a doctor so that you can get tested for both types of hearing loss and receive appropriate treatment.
How Hearing Aids Can Help With Sensorineural And Conductive Hearing Loss
How Hearing Aids Help in Sensorineural Hearing Loss
If a person has sensorineural hearing loss, the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear are dead or damaged. With this type of hearing loss, the person can’t hear well no matter how much they try. The best way to help them is with hearing aids. There are many types of hearing aids including behind-the-ear models and ones that hook behind the head on a ponytail. Hearing aids work by amplifying sounds so people with this type of injury can hear them clearly.
How Hearing Aids Help in Conductive Hearing Loss
People with conductive hearing loss have difficulty hearing weaker sounds. This is because their ears are less sensitive to low-frequency noise, and they also hear more high-frequency noise. Hearing aids help amplify low-frequency noises, while sound in the higher frequencies and noise like wind would be filtered out.
What are the Best Types of Hearing Aids for you?
There are many types of hearing aids on the market, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Here are some things to consider when choosing a hearing aid: your lifestyle, your hearing loss, and your budget.
Lifestyle: Do you need a hearing aid for everyday activities or just for special occasions? If you only need a hearing aid for special occasions, then you may not need a high-end model. However, if you need a hearing aid for everyday activities, then you will want to choose a model that has features like Bluetooth capabilities and digital sound processing.
Hearing Loss: Is your hearing loss mild or severe? If your hearing loss is mild, then you may only need a small-sized hearing aid. If your hearing loss is severe, then you may need a larger-sized model.
Budget: How much money do you want to spend on a hearing aid? There are many models of hearing aids that range in price from around $200 to $4000.
What Are Some Tips For The Patient With Sensorineural & Conductive Hearing Loss?
If you are experiencing conductive & sensorineural hearing loss, you may be wondering what you can do to help improve your quality of life. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to help improve your hearing. Here are some tips to help you:
Make sure your hearing aids are properly fitted: This means that the devices should fit snugly and cover as much of your ear as possible. If you have questions about how to select the right hearing aid for you, consult with a hearing specialist.
Try to listen to different types of sounds: If you tend to focus on one type of sound more than others, try listening to other types of sounds to see if they make more sense. For example, if you find that you have difficulty understanding speech in loud environments, try listening to music or television in those same settings.
Use amplification devices when necessary: Amplification devices can help compensate for hearing losses in noisy environments or when there is limited ambient noise. They can also be helpful when speaking with someone who has a hard time hearing in noisy settings.
Be patient and keep practicing. Even with the best
Conclusion
The article discusses how there is a difference between sensory hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. Sensory hearing loss is caused by problems with the ear canals, while conductive hearing loss is a result of problems with the nerve signals that are sent to the ears. Hearing aids can provide a measure of relief and improvement for people who suffer from sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. They can also help to widen the range of sound that a person can hear. The best hearing aids will work with most types of hearing loss, and they are typically easy to use.
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