Hearing loss isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. It can affect your ability to hear different frequencies of sound, impacting your experience in various ways. Understanding the specific type of hearing loss you have is crucial for finding the most effective solutions.
For instance, someone with sensorineural hearing loss might struggle to hear high-pitched sounds like birds chirping or children’s laughter, making walks in the park or conversations with loved ones frustrating. Conversely, conductive hearing loss might make all sounds seem muffled, like conversations being underwater, impacting your ability to follow along at meetings or hear the doorbell.
At Kricket Audiology, our experienced audiologists can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to pinpoint the exact type and severity of your hearing loss. This personalized approach allows us to recommend the most suitable treatment options, whether it’s hearing aids programmed for your specific needs, aural rehabilitation strategies or other solutions. By understanding your unique hearing profile, you can take control of your listening experience and reconnect with the world around you.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Audiologists may say you have conductive hearing loss if there’s a problem with how sound is conducted in your inner ear. People with this kind of hearing loss often complain about sounds being muffled or too quiet.
Some of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss include:
- Ear infections
- Significant earwax blockages
- Deterioration of the middle ear bones
- Deformed outer ear or middle ear structures
Conductive hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It depends on the source of the problem, which will then be used to develop a treatment plan.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss can happen when you have a problem with the sensory receptors in your hearing system. More specifically, this type of hearing loss often indicates an issue with the cochlea of the inner ear or auditory nerve.
The symptoms of this form of hearing loss include muffled speech, tinnitus and difficulty with hearing background noises. Some causes include age, damage to hair cells and genetics.
Unfortunately, sensorineural hearing loss tends to be permanent and can worsen over time. But it doesn’t have to diminish your quality of life. You may just need to supplement your auditory system with the right hearing technologies.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Finally, some patients experience a mixed form of hearing loss. This essentially means they’re experiencing sensorineural and conductive hearing loss at the same time. Patients with this condition may have issues in both their inner and outer ear systems.
Audiologists often recommend medical management and hearing aids to patients dealing with mixed hearing loss. You may or may not be able to improve the condition with treatment, depending on the cause that’s impacting your hearing system.
Determining the Right Treatment
After a thorough evaluation, your audiologist will carefully analyze the type and severity of your hearing loss. This detailed picture allows them to explore a range of solutions customized just for you. Conductive hearing loss might benefit from targeted medical interventions or specialized hearing aids, while sensorineural hearing loss might be addressed with hearing aids programmed to amplify specific frequencies you struggle with. By understanding the type of hearing loss you’re dealing with, the audiologist can craft a personalized treatment plan designed for your daily needs.