What is hearing loss?

hahahaha Looks like Grandma has hearing problem or hearing loss.

Let us look what really is Hearing loss today.

We will be covering on the types of hearing loss and the degree of hearing loss.

Types of Hearing Loss 

1. Conductive hearing loss
2. Sensorineural hearing loss
3. Mixed hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss

American Speech language Hearing Association defines conductive hearing loss as -  Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer earcanal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (ossicles) of the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss usually involves a reduction in sound level or the ability to hear faint sounds. This type of hearing loss can often be corrected medically or surgically.

Take a look at the video that explains conductive hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is about the outer ear, sensorineural hearing loss in the damage of the inner ear,  or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Can this be treated? 

The answer is no.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea), or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Most of the time, SNHL cannot be medically or surgically corrected. This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. 

Mixed hearing loss

What are mixed hearing loss? 

It is the combination of sensineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. 

Check this video out that explains about mixed hearing loss. 

Degree of hearing loss 

How severe can a hearing loss be? Check out the table below for the various degree of hearing loss.

Degree of hearing loss	Hearing loss range (dB HL)
Normal	–10 to 15
Slight	16 to 25
Mild	26 to 40
Moderate	41 to 55
Moderately severe	56 to 70
Severe	71 to 90
Profound	91+
Source: Clark, J. G. (1981). Uses and abuses of hearing loss classification.Asha, 23, 493–500.

American Speech Language Association 

Hope this help us understand more about hearing loss today.

Let us all recap - hearing loss can be divided into 3 types - conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss and a mixed hearing loss. 

A simple way to  differentiate conductive hearing loss and sensorineutral hearing loss is the damage of hearing. Conductive hearing loss is the damage of outer ear and sensorineural hearing loss it the damage of inner where most of the time it is permanently hearing loss. A mixed hearing loss is the combination of both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. 

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