Hearing loss can occur at any age.

It can happen be suddenly or gradually.

There are 3 types of hearing loss:• conductive• sensorineural• mixed (a combination of the above). [divider]Conductive hearing loss[/divider]This is a problem of transmission (or conduction) of soundwaves through the ear canal and middle ear. This type of hearing loss occurs when there is a failure of the conversion of soundwaves into movements by the eardrum and the little bones of the middle ear. It can occur either because the soundwaves are not reaching the eardrum or because the vibrating mechanisms of the eardrum or ossicles are not working properly. Causes of conductive hearing loss:

  • Blockage by wax or infection

  • Trauma

  • Fixation of the ossicles (tiny bones) in the middle ear (otosclerosis).

  • Middle ear infections (acute otitis media).

  • Collection of fluid in the middle ear - 'glue ear' (otitis media with effusion).

  • Damage to the ossicles, for example by serious infection or head injury.

  • Perforated (pierced) eardrum , which can be caused by an untreated ear infection (chronic suppurative otitis media), head injury or a blow to the ear, or from poking something in your ear.

These can often be treated and hearing in the infected ear can be corrected or improved. [divider]Sensorineural hearing loss[/divider]An inappropriate translation of the soundwaves into electrical signals by the inner ear or the onward passage of those electrical impulses via the nerves to the brain. Causes of sensorial hearing loss:

  • Hearing loss and age (presbyacusis) – Hearing loss can occur suddenly but as we age we lose acuity This is a natural decline in your hearing, which usually affects both ears, to a similar degree. Many people get this as they get older because of damage to the hair cells in the cochlea. Sometimes it can be associated with noises in the ear (tinnitus ).

  • However, this is not just down to age; another reason is Sociocusis (so-see-oh-KOO-sis). Sociocusis is the result of the accumulated effects that living in modern society has on our hearing. Our world is filled with noise; electrical appliances in the kitchen, traffic, using the underground, concerts, festivals and listening to music through IPods at high volume.

  • Damage to the hair cells by loud noises (acoustic trauma). This is more likely to happen if you work in a noisy place.

  • Infections (particularly by viruses, measles, mumps or meningitis), the side effects from certain medication and congenital causes.

  • Ménière's disease , which causes hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus  (a persistent ringing in the ears).

  • Certain medicines, such as some powerful antibiotics, can cause permanent hearing loss. (At high doses, aspirin is thought to cause temporary hearing loss and tinnitus).

  • Certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause hearing loss.

  • Acoustic neuroma – a benign (non-cancerous) tumour affecting the auditory nerve causing deafness and tinnitus.

  • Cholesteatoma  (benign skin growth) in the middle ear, causing deafness and vertigo (sensation of movement when you're standing still).

While some inner ear problems are reversible, generally, SNhearing loss is permanent. The main difficulty with sensorineural hearing loss is an inability to hear adequately in conversations, especially when there is background noise. Although frequent in older people, it is not uncommon for people to notice problems with speech discrimination whilst they are in their 30s or even earlier, especially if they have had regular exposure to loud noise (going clubbing).
Whilst there is no absolute cure for a sensorineural hearing loss, treatment technologies found in hearing aids

Degrees of Hearing Loss

When we have a mild hearing loss, our ability to understand speech diminishes. For those people who have a profound hearing loss, speech understanding is not possible.At every level many types of sounds become more difficult or sometimes impossible to hear – sounds like birds singing, soft voices, appliances like the telephone become difficult to hear. [divider]Signs of hearing loss[/divider]Recognise any of these typical signs and symptoms in you or a loved one?Do you avoid social situations because you find it too exhausting to follow conversation?Do you find communicating via the avoid using the landline or mobile phone very difficult?Do you tend to watch TV with the volume turned up so high that it disturbs others around you?