Hearing Loss: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Introduction

Have you ever looked at a deaf person and thought why he must be deaf? Most of the time our first thought is sympathy. But today we are going to explain in detail what causes hearing loss, and everything you should know to make sure you don’t suffer from it.

Hearing impairment is a prevalent disability that affects a significant number of individuals globally. The WHO says over 1.5 billion people worldwide, about 20% of the population, have hearing loss. This includes 34 million children, with 60% of their cases being preventable. Also, about 30% of people over 60 have hearing loss^[1].

From a slow progression of becoming unable to hear high-pitched frequencies to sudden ambiguity in conversations, hearing loss is a very influential aspect of one’s life. A person is said to have hearing loss if they are not able to hear as well as someone who has thresholds of 20 dB or more in one or both ears.

Fortunately, hearing impairment can be classified into different types; therefore, each has some specific signs and therapeutic approaches. But worry not Because in this article, we’re going to take a closer look at the hearing loss symptoms, its prevalence, and how you can deal with it or even prevent it from happening to you.

Types of Hearing Loss

There are a few hearing loss types that have different symptoms and causes. Let’s take a look at these types and understand in a better way how they can change the hearing loss cure.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss results from a problem in either the outer or middle ear and/ or its bones that conduct the vibrations to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss is usually caused by physical blockages or structural issues in the canal of the ear or middle ear^[2].

Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss:

• Ear wax: Some build-up may obstruct the flow and hinder hearing; proper hygiene of the ear is required.
• Fluid in the middle ear: This usually shows up as a buildup behind the eardrum, often from infections. It is quite often treated with antibiotics.
• Perforated eardrum: A tear in the eardrum from infections or even injury may result in hearing loss. Sometimes, it heals on its own.
• Otosclerosis: This is due to the growth of the bones of the middle ear, usually inherited. It usually causes hearing loss; treatment involves the use of aids and surgery.
• Swimmer’s ear: These are infections in the outermost part of the ear when water is trapped inside the ear. The common complaint is itching and redness. Antibiotics are used to treat this.
• Benign tumors: These are noncancerous growths that affect hearing and balance; specific treatments vary with each condition.

Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss:

• Sounds seem muffled or distorted
• The feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear involved
• Difficulty hearing low tones
• Reduced loudness

Treatment of Conductive Hearing Loss:

• Removal of earwax by a healthcare professional: Too much earwax may cause blockages in the ears that impede proper hearing. A healthcare professional can remove it safely using specialized equipment or through a method like irrigation, suction, or manual removal to return the ear to normal.
• Infection-fighting antibiotics or other medications: Some serious issues such as pain and impairment in hearing are caused by infections in the ears. Antibiotics or medications against viral diseases will be able to target the root infection successfully and reduce symptoms while preventing any further damage if prescribed by a physician.
• Surgical repairs and correction of the structural deformity: A perforated eardrum and abnormalities in the structure of the ear can highly impede hearing. Surgical corrections via tympanoplasty^[3] to repair the eardrum or ossiculoplasty^[4] to reconstruct the minute bones in the ear restore functionality, thereby allowing improvement of hearing.
• Hearing Aids for Conductive Hearing Loss: Sometimes, when there is conductive hearing loss, either the outer or middle ear mechanisms that allow sound waves to pass into the inner ear- are affected. Specialized hearing aids serve to amplify sound so that they can overcome those barriers and allow someone with conductive hearing loss to hear better.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

Sensorineural hearing loss is that which arises from damage in the inner ear, that is, the cochlea, or the auditory nerve responsible for the transmission of sound signals from the ear to the brain. This kind of hearing loss generally is brought about by loud noises, the aging process, or genetic factors^[5].

Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

• Permanent damage to the individual’s hearing may result from prolonged exposure to loud music from concerts, machinery noise, or even personal listening apparatuses.
• Presbycusis is a type of hearing loss that usually deals with aging because of the progressive decaying of the inner ear structures and affects the ability to hear^[6].
• Other conditions responsible for fluctuation in hearing and its loss include Ménière’s disease and autoimmune diseases^[7].
• Genetic Factors: Although the reasons are not specific, one may consider that genetic factors or other predisposing congenital conditions act as causes for hearing loss. They might affect an individual’s auditory function even from birth^[8].
• Damage to the auditory pathways or structures of the ear due to head trauma or injury results in impairment of hearing ability.
• Some drugs, known as ototoxic drugs, can have a damaging effect on the inner ear. Due to this action, partial or total hearing loss may result and could even become permanent^[9].

Symptoms

• Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds, for instance, women’s and children’s voices are harder to understand.
• Trouble understanding when any speech is present around you, particularly when there is noise around.
• Ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds in your ears, are called tinnitus.
• Feeling like people are mumbling or not talking clearly.

Symptoms of Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss treatment options include

• Hearing devices: These are electronic devices that are designed to amplify sound intensity and clarity for a person with hearing loss. Small electronic gadgets, often fitted into or behind one’s ear, amplify sounds for better hearing. Amplifying sounds enables one to follow the conversations easily and improves the ability to hear in different environments by making it all more accessible.
• Cochlear implants: are complex medical prostheses for individuals whose severe or profound hearing loss is receiving limited benefit from traditional hearing aids. Unlike other hearing aids, which work by amplifying sound, cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve with electrical impulses, thereby bypassing the damaged areas of the inner ear. This allows users to perceive sounds more clearly. Cochlear implants may really improve the residual hearing and communicative skills in people with serious hearing impairments^[10].
• Assistive listening devices are specialized tools that assist people with hearing loss by making sounds more distinct and available in certain situations. Examples include TV amplifiers that make sounds clearer for more effective reception of television and captioning systems that allow the textual representation of spoken dialogues. ALDs can function with or without hearing aids and are used to overcome background noise, distance, or acoustically poor environments to improve listening situations in different settings^[11].
• Communication strategies:such as lip-reading or sign language, help a person with hearing loss greatly in gaining an interaction skill. Lip-reading is based upon observing the movements of the mouth, facial expression, and gestures of the speaker to perceive speech, while sign language is a visible manual communication system consisting of handshapes, gestures, and facial expressions. These techniques help a person with hearing impairment to communicate and participate in discussions and social conversations more effectively.
• Noise cancellation headphones or earplugs: protect residual hearing in cases of partial hearing loss. As a protection device, this helps an individual evade exposure to harmful loud levels when attending noisy areas such as concerts or industries involved with loud noises. Through considerable cancellation of unwanted background noise, noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs protect the remaining hearing; thus, enabling an individual to maintain his or her hearing while still being able to appreciate his or her surroundings^[12].

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss can occur when a person has an underlying sensorineural hearing loss that is then compounded by a conductive component, such as a middle ear infection or structural abnormality.

Causes of Mixed Hearing Loss:

• Middle ear infections spreading to the inner ear can cause dizziness, balance issues, and hearing loss due to affected hearing structures.
• Trauma or injury to the ear may result in pain, hearing loss, and potential permanent damage when multiple ear parts are damaged.
• Otosclerosis involves abnormal bone growth in the middle ear, leading to progressive hearing loss and potential balance issues.

Symptoms of Mixed Hearing Loss:

• Combination of symptoms from conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
• Muffled sounds
• Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
• Feeling of fullness in the affected ear(s)

Treatment options for mixed hearing loss:

• Multimodality treatment for conductive and sensorineural types of hearing loss typically involves addressing any underlying medical conditions or structural issues. Medical treatments, including surgery or medication that corrects the problem in the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear that interferes with sound reaching the inner ear, can improve hearing capacity.
• Other effective treatments include hearing aids, which serve to amplify and clarify the sound for the hard-of-hearing individual. These can be tailored to one’s specific hearing needs and, utilizing advanced technology, can enhance sound quality to the point where it becomes easier for users to interact with their surroundings and communicate with others.
• Assistive listening devices make important contributions in offering improved communication in given situations. These devices include a range of equipment, such as FM systems, infrared systems, or loop systems, to mention but a few, that enable such individuals to hear better in adverse conditions, such as in noisy areas or places with high patronage, thus improving the quality of their lives in general.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can Hearing Loss Be Reversed?

A: While some types of hearing loss are treatable and may improve, it’s often not reversible. However, early detection and intervention can help prevent further hearing loss and maximize hearing function.

Q: How Often Should I Get My Hearing Tested?

A: It is advisable to check your hearing annually, particularly if you are over 50 years old or if you have a hearing loss history in your family. A regular check-up will keep track of any change in your hearing ability and thus will help in the early invention of it.

Q: Are There Any Natural Remedies for Hearing Loss?

A: Since natural remedies for hearing loss are not scientifically proven, some believe that added Ear Health supplements and a change in diet may cure their deficiency in hearing health. Always consult with a healthcare professional prior to trying a natural remedy.

Q: Does Wearing Headphones Too Loud Cause Permanent Damage?

A: Yes, prolonged exposure to loud headphones or any other type of loud noise can cause permanent hearing damage. It is advisable to listen to music only at volumes that are not harmful and limit the amount of time you spend in loud environments.

Q: How Do I Effectively Talk to Someone with Hearing Loss?

A: To communicate with a hearing-impaired individual, the speaker should speak clearly, face directly, and never mumble or speak too fast. You can try to get our point across using gestures or sign language.

Q: How Does a Hearing Aid Differ from a Cochlear Implant?

A: Hearing aids work by amplifying sound for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that bypass the damaged part of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They can be especially helpful for people with severe to profound hearing loss.

Q: Can Hearing Loss Affect My Balance and Coordination?

A: Sometimes hearing loss may also give you problems with balance and stability. This is because your ears help your balance. If dizzy or if you have problems when you walk, you should consult a doctor .

Q: How Can I Help My Child Who Has Hearing Loss?

A: Early intervention is important if your child has hearing loss. There are many resources that can help children with hearing problems: speech therapy, audiology services, and educational assistance.

Conclusion

Although the nature of hearing loss is complex and highly misunderstood, it is a condition that can be contained with the right information and approach. Furthermore, it is possible to have hearing loss in one ear or both.

You should maintain a healthy lifestyle and be informed that major contributors to hearing loss include cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and certain medications. Early diagnosis can be assisted by regular checkups by an audiologist. Application of the use of assistive technologies and learning communication strategies will aid management.

By knowing the different types of hearing loss, recognizing common symptoms, and being informed about options available for treatments, you will be empowered to actively take steps to protect your hearing and quality of life. Remember: your hearing health counts, so take action if you have a problem.

13 Sources

We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.

[1] Deafness and hearing loss : https://www.who.int/health-topics/hearing-loss#tab=tab_2
[2] Conductive Hearing Loss : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563267/
[3] Tympanoplasty : https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/tympanoplasty
[4] Ossiculoplasty : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563162/
[5] Physiology, Cochlear Function : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531483/
[6] Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis) : https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss
[7] Ménière's Disease : https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/menieres-disease
[8] Contribution of genetic factors to noise-induced hearing loss: A human studies review : https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383574212000646
[9] The Contribution of Ototoxic Medications to Hearing Loss Among Older Adults : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7328195/
[10] Cochlear Implantation in Hearing-Impaired Elderly: Clinical Challenges and Opportunities to Optimize Outcome : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9315238/
[11] Assistive Listening Systems : https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/hat/alds/
[12] Effects of an Active Noise Control Technology Applied to Earphones on Preferred Listening Levels in Noisy Environments : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9271732/
[13] Mixed Hearing Loss : https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mixed-hearing-loss

Angela Lemond, RDN, CSP, LD

Angela Lemond is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Angela Read Full Bio