Hearing Loss Overview
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Many people around the world are affected by hearing loss. It’s a complicated and oftentimes, diverse condition. It can happen for many reasons and manifest itself in different ways, like how much or what kind of sounds a person can hear.
CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS
There are two main reasons why people lose their ability to hear well;
(1) They are either born with it or it happens later in life. If someone is born with hearing loss, it could be because of genes, infections while their mother was pregnant, or problems during birth.
(2) An individual may lose their hearing later in life. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including;
- Exposure to loud noises
- Head injuries
- Infections
- Effects of the natural ageing process
TYPES OF HEARING LOSS
There are three types of hearing loss
Conductive Hearing Loss: This happens when sound waves can’t go through the outer or middle ear.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss happens when the inner ear or nerve pathways that send sound to the brain are damaged.
Mixed Hearing Loss: This is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss shows how bad it is and is measured in decibels. It can be slight, which makes it hard to hear quiet sounds, or profound, which means not being able to hear at all. The shape of hearing loss is called the configuration and is shown on an audiogram.
CONSEQUENCES OF UNTREATED HEARING LOSS
Not treating hearing loss can cause many problems for a person’s health and well-being. It can make it hard to communicate with others, especially in noisy places, which can make sufferers feel lonely and isolated. It can also make it harder to remember things and increase the chances of getting dementia. People with untreated hearing loss may feel sad or worried and may not want to do things they used to enjoy. They may also be more likely to fall or have accidents because they can’t hear what’s going on around them. Finally, it can make it harder to carry out duties and communicate effectively in the workplace.
DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
Many resources are available to help with hearing loss. Audiologists and doctors work together to give the best care. It’s important to involve the person with hearing loss and their family in the process. Hearing loss can affect someone’s life a lot, but with the right help, they can still have a good life.
If you are currently struggling with hearing difficulties, we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our highly skilled and experienced audiologists here in Galway & O’Neill Hearing Care.