Treating Different Types of Hearing Loss

In the United States, 1 in 8 people over 12 years of age have hearing loss in both ears. However, not all hearing loss is the same. 

While many people have trouble hearing anything, others only struggle to hear certain sounds. There are various degrees of hearing loss as well as many different causes. Treatment options for hearing loss will vary based on its cause and its severity.

In this guide, we'll tell you about the different types of hearing loss and the treatment options for each.

Degrees of Hearing Loss

It's important to realize that there are varying degrees of hearing loss severity.

Some people may only fail to hear quieter sounds. Others may have trouble hearing normal conversation but can still hear certain loud sounds.

Here are the main 4 levels of hearing loss to be aware of.

Mild Hearing Loss

With mild hearing loss, only the quietest of sounds can't be heard.

People who suffer from mild hearing loss will have trouble hearing quiet sounds that are between 25-40 dB. This could include noises such as birds or the sound of leaves rustling. They might also find it difficult to follow a conversation with someone if it's taking place in a public setting.

A hearing aid can help significantly with this degree of hearing loss.

Moderate Hearing Loss

Someone who suffers from moderate hearing loss may have trouble understanding normal conversations and may also miss other sounds as well. Those with moderate hearing loss can't hear sounds that are less than 40-75 dB.

During a normal conversation, these people may miss certain words. They may also be unable to hear sounds such as a doorbell ringing.

Severe Hearing Loss

Severe hearing loss can lead to someone having a lot of difficulty listening to another person during a conversation. It won't be easy for them to understand normal speech unless they decide to get a hearing aid or a cochlear implant.

People who have severe hearing loss won't be able to hear sounds that are lower than 70-94 dB.

Profound Hearing Loss

Profound hearing loss is the most significant degree of hearing loss.

Those who have profound hearing loss will have trouble hearing almost everything except for very loud conversations and sounds. At this level of hearing loss, a person may even have trouble hearing sound when using a hearing aid and one-on-one conversations can still be difficult to understand.

With profound hearing loss, a person won't be able to hear sounds that are lower than 95 dB.

Types of Hearing Loss

So what are the main types of hearing loss and their treatment options? Here's what you should know.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that affects the middle or outer ear. Because of a blockage of some kind, sound waves cannot reach the inner ear.

There are many potential causes of this type of hearing loss. Some common conductive hearing loss causes include the following:

• Genetic abnormalities and deformities in the ear canal
• Collection of fluid, dirt, dust, or earwax
• Damage to the eardrum due to perforation or collapse
• Injury or trauma to the ossicles or bones within the middle ear
• Infection within the ears

This type of hearing loss can usually be reversed and may only require basic medicine or surgical intervention.

Treatment Options

Generally speaking, this type of hearing loss can be treated with medical and surgical methods.

In the case of malformation and dysfunction of middle ear structures, failure of the ear canal to open at birth, and congenital absence, surgery can be used to correct the problem. In some cases, a hearing aid will be used to amplify the sound.

For middle ear infections, antibiotic antifungal medications may be used to treat the issue.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing loss that results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea). It's also known as nerve-related hearing loss and is most common in people over 45.

Sensorineural hearing loss is typically permanent, but sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) can potentially be reversed if it's treated quickly. Despite its name, SSHL typically develops over the course of weeks or months, but the hearing loss comes on suddenly.

Some common causes of sensorineural hearing loss include the following:

• Aging
• Head, ear, or neck trauma
• Over-exposure to loud noises and sounds
• Certain diseases
• Genetic causes

Sensorineural hearing loss could be accompanied by dizziness, pain, or ringing in one or both ears.

Treatment Options

The treatment for sensorineural hearing loss will depend on its cause. To get to the root of your issue you may need to see a doctor and get recommendations for treatment options.

In many cases, the treatment option for this type of hearing loss will be the use of hearing aids. It may also be treated with hearing implants in some cases as well.

Remember, however, that sudden sensorineural hearing loss could be either permanent or temporary. Depending on the cause of your hearing loss, the treatment could include surgery and medical therapy which includes the use of corticosteroids.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss includes a combination of both types of damage listed above. There will be conductive damage to the outer and middle ear as well as damage to the inner ear.

The combination of these problems can make the symptoms of hearing loss even more severe. 

Treatment Options

When it comes to treating mixed hearing loss, typically a doctor will focus on the conductive hearing loss first. The conductive hearing loss issues may go away with the help of medicine or surgical treatments.

In the case of sensorineural hearing loss, a patient will likely receive a device such as a hearing aid or a cochlear implant.

Reducing the Impact of Hearing Loss

If you think that you may suffer from one of the types of hearing loss listed above, be sure to speak with your doctor about treatment options. Although hearing loss can cause significant problems, there are ways to treat hearing loss and reduce its impact.

Are you ready to buy a hearing aid? Contact us today to learn more about Beltone hearing aids.

Ask the Expert: Understanding the Different Types of Hearing Loss Tests

Close to 50 million people in the United States have some form of hearing loss. This can be quite a frustrating experience, to the point that you're missing out on major parts of life. 

If you are dealing with any form of hearing loss, hearing care professionals and audiologists can provide you with the treatments that you need. Before this, however, you need to get extensive testing done to verify your hearing loss. But what types of tests are available? We're glad you asked. 

These tips will help you when you want to learn more about your hearing loss test options. 

The Auditory Brain System Response (ABR) Test

There are a variety of different kinds of hearing loss that people experience. Some forms of hearing loss deal with the bones in the ear or from irreparable damage to the ear drum. Other forms of hearing loss are more deeply ingrained. 

With an auditory brain system response (ABR) test, professionals are examining nerves and connections that help your brain and inner ear communicate. You might have to get this test if you have encountered hearing loss from a brain injury. The professional that administers this test will connect nodes to your scalp to measure brain activity in response to triggers. 

It's a type of exam that is commonly administered to newborns while they are in the hospital but can also be given to people of any age. Once test results are given, the professionals will be able to provide you with the assistance that you need. 

Knowing the benefits of hearing aids will help you fix your hearing if your tests come back indicating hearing loss. 

Pure Tone Hearing Test

The pure tone hearing test is another common examination that people receive in order to pinpoint issues. With this examination, the tester plays a faint sound in your headphones, and you will need to indicate whether or not you hear it, and out of which ear. 

With this test, the professional measures the lowest sound that you are able to hear. This gives an indication of whether or not your hearing is working and whether you need a hearing aid or other help. Your ears will be checked to see whether you can pick up sounds of a variety of volumes and pitches. The tester will ask you to either raise your hand or hit a button to indicate that you are hearing the sounds clearly. 

Tympanometry Testing

Your eardrum is an integral piece of the puzzle when dictating how well you can hear, if at all. Your eardrum will need to shake and vibrate in order for you to register sound. 

With tympanometry testing, the audiologists will examine your eardrum in order to see how well it is moving. There could be a number of reasons that your eardrum performance is hampered. For instance, you might have a ruptured ear drum or could be contending with fluid inside of your eardrum. This could also be an issue if you have a lot of hardened and compacted earwax inside of your eardrum. 

A professional can help you out with tympanometry testing so that you can remedy these issues. 

Bone Conduction Hearing Test

Next, bone conduction hearing is another type of testing that tests for obstructions. Professionals use this test to see if you have buildup, fluid, or ear wax creating an issue. However, this test checks to see if you have any of these blockages in the middle or outer areas of your ear. 

With a bone conduction hearing test, professionals will attach a conductor behind your ear to send pulses into your ear. The results that you get from this exam will let you know what kind of hearing loss you are dealing with. 

Speech Testing

One of the main gifts of your hearing sense is the ability to have conversations with people. The only way this happens is by picking up speech patterns in sensitive detail. A speech hearing test will gauge your ability to hear and register certain kinds of words. 

You will be played a series of words at different volumes in order to measure your speech reception threshold (SRT). The professionals will be able to measure this threshold either in a quiet room or a loud and busy setting. This is one of the most practical and useful forms of hearing testing since it gauges how well you are able to use your hearing for human interactions. 

Speak to an Hearing Care Professional

Keep in mind that you won't necessarily know what kind of hearing test you need until you speak to a professional who specializes in hearing loss and hearing loss treatment. Once you do this, they will ask you questions about the types of hearing issues that you're having, and from there, will administer the appropriate test to help you get the results that you're looking for. 

They will likely prescribe you a hearing aid or other treatment that will give you the chance to regain your hearing. A new pair of hearing aids could cost you anywhere between $900 and more than $6,000 depending on what type you get. 

Get a Professional Hearing Test

These tips are worthwhile when you're looking into getting a professional hearing loss test that can help your well-being and your entire quality of life. Do your due diligence in getting professional help so that you can regain this crucial sense. 

Beltone is happy to help you when you need to fix your hearing issues. To request an appointment, contact us online or call us at (800)371-4327 for more information.