| Hearing loss is characterized by the inability to hear | | | | obstruction |
| sounds coming from the environment. Studies say that | | | | Lesions (tumors) |
| 1 in 10 people are affected by loss of hearing to | | | | Trauma to the head |
| different degrees. The degree of hearing loss means | | | | Viruses |
| the extent of damage. It can range from mild to | | | | Constant exposure to loud noises |
| profound, and can be helped by the use of devices | | | | Loss of Hearing is measured in degrees or severity |
| designed to enhance a person's ability to hear. | | | | and is diagnosed by a series of hearing tests which |
| Hearing Loss Types: | | | | tells the type, degree, and location of the hearing deficit. |
| When the bones of the middle ear, the incus, malleus, | | | | There are several testing procedures performed by |
| and stapes (the smallest bones in the body) do not | | | | your health care provider to determine one's loss of |
| receive sound from the external ear, this is called | | | | hearing and the extent of damage. These tests |
| Conductive Hearing Loss. This results in the inability to | | | | include: |
| hear faint sounds. | | | | Weber's test utilizes the tuning fork |
| Damage to the inner ear, namely the cochlea, results in | | | | Rinne test - compares air and bone conduction |
| permanent hearing loss. This is called Sensorineural | | | | Audiogram - measures hearing levels |
| Hearing Loss. The cochlea contains the auditory nerve | | | | Speech testing |
| that sends electrical impulses to the brain. Damage to | | | | Treatment: |
| this nerve prevents impulses from reaching the brain | | | | Treatment of any existing disease |
| for interpretation. | | | | Hearing aid |
| A combination of the two above hearing deficits is | | | | Surgery |
| called Mixed Hearing Loss, and is due damage of the | | | | What are the Surgical procedures for Loss of Hearing: |
| outer, middle, and inner ear. | | | | Myringotomy: A small incision is made in the ear drum |
| When there is an abnormality in the brain, such as a | | | | and a tiny tube is inserted to drain the the ear of a |
| brain tumor, or a non-malignant tumor in the auditory | | | | build up of fluid. |
| canal, That causes sound to not be sent to the brain, it | | | | Stapedectomy: Surgical manipulation of the stapes |
| is called Central Hearing Loss. | | | | bone or complete replacement is performed. |
| There is also unilateral loss of hearing, meaning that | | | | Tympanoplasty and Mastoid surgery: Reconstructs of |
| hearing deficit is located in just one ear. | | | | the ear drum, and the removal of the mastoid bone |
| How Hearing Is Lost? | | | | and any disease it contains. |
| There are a variety of reasons that causes one to not | | | | Translabyrinthine surgery: Is the removal of acoustic |
| hear sounds. These causes include: | | | | neuromas (tumors). |
| Loud sudden noises, such as an explosion or airbag | | | | Middle Fossa and Retrosigmoid: Is the removal of small |
| deployment | | | | tumors |
| Family history (Genetics) | | | | If you believe you have some type of hearing loss, |
| Repeated ear infections | | | | consulting with a hearing professional for testing, |
| Chronic illness such as diabetes | | | | diagnosis, and treatment will help you begin hearing the |
| Puncture of the eardrum | | | | sounds coming from your environment again, and |
| Excessive Ear wax | | | | participating in the activities you enjoy. |
| Blockages such as ear wax, fluid, or mechanical | | | | |