There are two common types of hearing loss. One is called conductive, which is normally a problem with the outer or middle ear. A common example of conductive hearing loss is chronic middle ear infection. This kind of hearing loss can be treated medically or surgically.
The second kind of hearing loss, and the most common type, is sensorineural. This usually involves a problem with the inner ear, or the hearing nerve itself, and is mostly permanent, though it can be rehabilitated through the use of hearing aids.
Here are some commons reasons why hearing loss happens in the first place:
- Aging
- Repeated exposure to loud noises
- Infections
- Injuries to the head or ear
- Birth defects or genetics
- Ototoxic reaction to drugs or cancer treatment such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, or radiation
And here’s what to look for if you think hearing loss is occurring:
- Hearing but not understanding people
- Having difficulty understanding radio, television or public address systems
- Needing to watch a person’s lips in order to understand
- Finding yourself asking people to repeat what they have said
- Pretending to understand
- Avoiding people and isolating yourself
- Finding it emotionally and physically exhausting to communicate
- Thinking that you are the only one who has these difficulties
And without proper treatment, it could get a lot worse than just hearing difficulties. Remembering that this is an important process and part of your body and life is very significant, because it can easily turn into much larger issues like:
- Irritability, negativism and anger
- Fatigue, tension, stress and depression
- Avoidance or withdrawal from social situations
- Social rejection and loneliness
- Reduced alertness and increased risk to personal safety
- Impaired memory and ability to learn new tasks
- Reduced job performance and earning power
- Diminished psychological and overall health
*Information from betterhearing.org
If you are experiencing hearing loss and would like to discuss your treatment options with one of our hearing experts, please call (860) 493-1950 or visit our patient portal to request an appointment.