Monday, April 11, 2011

Hearing Problems You Should Be Aware Of

By Mark Walters


Hearing problems can happen to any one of us at any time of our lives, though the majority of hearing problems occur as a result of injury caused by infection, trauma or possibly prolonged exposure to loud music. Depending on the severity of the illness, hearing problems can have a huge impact on our lives as it hinders audible communication and in some cases, balance. Although it is quite easy to understand when you have a hearing problem, the specific diagnosis should only be carried by a specialist doctor who can then advise as to treatment methods and proactive prevention of further problems.

While there are varying degrees of hearing loss, there are only 3 main types depending on what part of the ear is affecting the loss of hearing. Sensorineural hearing loss is the name given to a disorder that affects the nerves leading to the ear from the brain, and the inner ear up to the ear drum. Conductive hearing loss describes any kind of hearing loss that is caused by damage or blockage in any area of the middle and outer ear. Mixed hearing loss is the name given to a disorder that comprises of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss develops from some kind of blockage in the ear canal which could be due to a cold, an infection, a build up of wax or for some other reason. This blockage prevents sound waves from reaching the ear drum and therefore reduces the amount of noise received. Conductive hearing loss could also be a result of more serious problems such as a tumor, a perforated ear drum or damage to the Eustachian tube.

Problems that stem from conditions affecting the inner ear and nerves leading to the brain are categorized as forms of sensorineural hearing loss. The most common cause of hearing loss in this local area is abnormalities in the hair cells that are located in the organ of Corti in the cochlea, though it can also be caused as a result of injury to any area of the inner ear and the eighth cranial nerve. Many people experience this form of hearing loss from listening to loud music for extended periods of time.

In a situation where sensorineural and conductive hearing loss is present, a patient is said to be suffering from mixed hearing loss. This kind of condition usually comes about as a result of severe trauma to the ear, most commonly as a result of an accident, or physical attack. While sensorineural hearing loss can be improved with the help of a hearing aid, it is not easy to treat the direct cause and as such, doctors tend to concentrate on the treatment of conductive hearing loss before anything else.




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