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Hearing Basics
This page is divided into different chapters. To skip ahead, click on the appropriate chapter heading:Introduction
In order to understand hearing loss, it is important to have some basic knowledge of how the ear or hearing works. This chapter on hearing is a basic overview of the physical structures and what they do. You will need to research other sites or literature sources for more detailed information and/or pictures.How Hearing Works
There are three basic parts to the ear: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear, or the pinna, is the piece of flesh we see attached to the side of the head which also includes the ear canal. The outer ear catches sounds and funnels it into the ear canal.These sounds then vibrate the ear drum, or tympanic membrane, which is attached to the end of the ear canal. This is the beginning of the middle ear. Beyond (and attached to) the ear drum are three tiny bones, called ossicles, which move in response to the vibration of the ear drum. The ossicles then transmit the sound to the inner ear.
The inner ear, or cochlea, is filled with fluid. The movement of the ossicles causes the fluid within the cochlea to move. The movement of the fluid stimulates tiny nerves called hair cells. Each of these tiny nerves are responsible for specific frequencies. When the hair cells are stimulated by the movement of the fluid within the cochlea, they send an electrical impulse along the hearing nerve to the brain creating the sensation of hearing.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three basic types of hearing loss. It helps to know some basic information about the structures of the ear (see above).Sensorineural hearing loss: Also referred to as nerve loss. This type of hearing loss involves damage to the tiny hair cells in the cochlea or damage along the hearing nerve to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by age, noise exposure, genetics or family history of hearing loss, ototoxic medications, and other causes. The majority of sensorineural hearing loss cases cannot be fixed or improved by surgery. The most common course of treatment for this type of hearing loss is hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss: This type of hearing loss involves a problem with the outer or middle ear, with the inner ear working normally. Conductive hearing losses include middle ear infections and/or fluid in the middle ear, holes in the ear drum, impacted ear wax (also called cerumen) and other blockages of the ear canal. Often, this type of loss can be corrected with medications and/or surgery. However, there are cases when the only treatment is hearing aids.
Mixed hearing loss: This type of hearing loss includes characteristics of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. If the conductive portion of the hearing loss can be corrected, then the medical or surgical course of treatment is tried first. Then, if hearing aids can improve communication for the sensorineural hearing loss, they are tried after the medical or surgical treatment of the conductive component. If it is determined that there is no medical or surgical treatment for the conductive portion, then hearing aids are recommended if appropriate.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Listed below are common signs of hearing loss:- People mumble or talk too softly
- Having to strain to hear normal conversation
- Women and children are more difficult to understand
- The volume on the TV or radio is too loud, so that others complain
- Having to watch other people's faces to follow a conversation
- Feeling tired or irritated from straining to hear
- Problems understanding in background noise like bars, restaurants or cars
- Asking people to repeat or asking "What?" often.
- Problems hearing or understanding on the phone
- Noticing that one ear hears better on the phone than the other
- Problems with people talking fast or with an unexpected conversation
- Problems hearing birds, watches ticking, doorbells, telephones ringing or other high pitched sounds
- Avoiding certain places where it is hard to understand
- Having trouble locating where sounds are coming from
- Answering inappropriately during conversations
- Ringing in the ears (also called tinnitus)
- Having ear infections
- Having dizziness or vertigo problems
If you feel you have any of these problems, see your doctor or audiologist and get a hearing test. If you would like to make an appointment at our office, please call:
