466 million people in the world suffer from some sort of hearing loss. That’s about 5% of the entire world’s population.
If you’ve noticed that it’s become more difficult to hear things these days, it might be a good idea to learn more about the types of hearing loss. Knowing more about them helps to figure out the steps to deal with them.
For more information about the four hearing loss types, keep reading.
Sensorineural
This is by far the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural loss occurs when there is damage done to the nerves and vital hairs inside of the ear. It makes the pathways into the eardrum unable to carry sounds.
Most of the time, this is due to age or severe damage caused by loud noises. It’s also a potential side-effect to severe viruses such as mumps or measles. It’s not possible to fix sensorineural hearing loss, but it is possible to heighten your hearing with the help of hearing aids.
Conductive
On the opposite side, conductive hearing loss is when there is something structurally wrong with the ear. This happens either through genetics or outside damage to the shape of your ear. It also happens through the build-up of either fluids or earwax.
All of these work against you to block sounds from getting through to the eardrum.
It’s possible to help hearing loss from this type, with the proper medicines and potential surgeries.
Mixed
Much like it sounds, mixed hearing loss is the type that mixes the above two conditions. You have a certain level of both conductive and sensorineural losses that hamper your hearing.
The best thing to do with this type is to see a doctor. This way, they’ll test to see how severe each type is within your ears, and then move forward from there. More often than not, the conductive loss gets treatment first as it’s easier to fix.
Auditory Neuropathy
When there is something wrong with the very auditory nerve itself, that’s what’s called auditory neuropathy. Although the ear is capable of receiving sound without any problems, the sounds get mixed around. You’ll have trouble understanding what people are saying not because you can’t hear them, but because you can’t process the sounds.
This is a problem that occurs at birth, but sometimes certain viruses can have a similar effect to the nerve. This condition is treatable with hearing aids to amplify and reorganize sounds.
Understanding the Types of Hearing Loss Helps Prevent Them
Do you recognize any of the types of hearing loss listed above? If so, it’s a good idea to get into contact with your doctor. They’ll help you figure out all of the necessary next steps to help you lessen the problem.
Hearing impairments are often the result of more traditionally male-oriented jobs, so it’s important to always take the proper precautions when you go to work. Make sure to wear hearing protection when necessary to prevent further damage!
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