DIFFICULTY HEARING

TYPES

Conductive Hearing Loss

When sounds can’t travel from the outer ear to the eardrum and the bones of the middle ear, conductive hearing loss occurs. Soft or muffled sounds will be difficult to hear when having this type of hearing loss.

However, conductive hearing loss (CHL) is not permanent and with modern medical interventions, you can be able to treat CHL.

This type of hearing loss can caused by:

• A buildup of wax in the ear
• Allergies
• Ear infections
• Swimmer’s ear

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

When the nerve tract of your inner ear is damaged it results to Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). Unlike conductive hearing loss, SNHL is permanent.

Distinct, normal, or loud sounds may be heard as muffled or unclear.

SNHL happens because of:

• Acoustic neuroma
• Aging
• Birth defects that alter the structure of the ear
• Meniere’s disease
• Trauma to the head or skull
• Working around loud noises
• Ototoxic medications

Infections

Some common infections can also result to hearing loss. Below are the examples:

• Measles
• Meningitis
• Mumps
• Scarlet fever

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is also a type of hearing loss. This happens when both CHL and SNHL occur at the same time.

SYMPTOMS

Immediately consult your doctor if your experience the following symptoms:

• Having ear pain along with hearing problems
• Headaches
• Hearing loss that becomes worse or that doesn’t go away
• Hearing loss that interferes with your daily activities
• Hearing loss that’s worse in one ear
• Numbness
• Ringing in the ear
• Severe hearing loss
• Sudden hearing loss
• Weakness

Emergency medical treatment is needed if numbness, weakness or headaches are experienced together with the following:

• Chills
• Mental agitation
• Neck stiffness
• Quick breathing
• Sensitivity to light
• Vomiting

The symptoms mentioned above can cause life-threatening conditions if not treated immediately, such as meningitis.

DIAGNOSIS

Tests to diagnose hearing loss may include:

• Physical exam
• General screening tests
• Tuning fork tests
• Audiometer tests

TREATMENT

Treatment for difficulty hearing may vary on its cause and seriousness.

Treatment options for difficulty hearing includes:

• Removing wax blockage. Earwax will be removed by your doctor through loosening it with oil and then flushing, scooping or suctioning out the softened wax.
• Surgical procedures. Surgery may be necessary if you’ve had a traumatic ear injury or repeated infections.
• Hearing aids. These can help you by making sounds stronger and easier for you to hear.
• Cochlear implants. It may be an option for you. A cochlear implant compensates for damaged or nonworking parts of your inner ear.