Types of Hearing Loss in New Jersey Skip to Main Content

Types of Hearing Loss

A woman cupping her hand to her ear to help with some hearing loss in New Jersey.
– 5.5 minute read

Hearing loss affects millions of individuals worldwide, impairing the ability to communicate effectively and diminishing the quality of life. American Hearing Centers in New Jersey is focused on helping adults effectively manage it through comprehensive evaluations and reliable, high-quality hearing aid solutions. Did you know there are different types of hearing loss, and not all can be treated the same way? Understanding hearing loss and identifying your specific condition is essential for a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re experiencing hearing difficulties or you have a family member who is, we can help manage the condition through testing and hearing devices.

Adults Are Most Affected by Hearing Loss

Hearing loss comes with age. Like eyesight or strength, our ability to hear naturally declines over the years. Some experience it sooner, and others will have more severe cases. According to the National Council on Aging, about 15.5% of adults over 18 have hearing loss. One in three adults between 65 and 74 have hearing problems; over age 75, that increases to one in two. This condition should be taken seriously. Unfortunately, many adults don’t seek help because they think they can live with it or they’re embarrassed by the thought of wearing a hearing aid. Untreated hearing loss can lead to other health issues, including:

  • Dementia
  • Cognitive decline
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Depression
  • Balance issues

How We Hear Sounds

Sound waves in the environment travel into the ear canal, causing the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations pass through the middle ear to the cochlea in the inner ear, which is filled with fluid and lined with cells that have thousands of tiny hair-like structures. As the vibrations move through the cochlea, these hair cells bend, converting them into electrical signals for the auditory nerve to send to the brain, where they are interpreted as the sounds we hear.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and the most common type. It happens when the cochlea or auditory nerve can’t do its job of converting sound vibrations or sending them to the brain to be processed. People can experience a gradual or sudden hearing loss with this condition. Causes include:

  • Aging
  • Repeated exposure to loud noise
  • Tinnitus
  • Ear infections
  • Head trauma
  • Genetics
  • Certain medications known to damage ears, such as diuretics or chemotherapy

Treatment Options for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This condition is irreversible and tends to get worse with age. The good news is a hearing test and evaluation at a hearing care center can determine the severity of it, and most cases can be improved by hearing aids. Hearing aids amplify sounds in the environment, allowing the brain to convert them more easily. Today’s hearing aids are smaller and more powerful than previous versions, and with modern technology, including Bluetooth connectivity available, users can enjoy better hearing with a professionally fitted device.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is a problem with the outer or middle ear that prevents sound waves from reaching the inner portion. Many of these situations are temporary, but some can be permanent, depending on the cause. Common causes include:

  • Blockage of the ear canal, such as from earwax buildup, foreign objects, or swimmer’s ear
  • Infections of the outer or middle ear
  • Fluid in the middle ear from colds or allergies
  • Perforation of the eardrum
  • Problems with the bones of the middle ear, such as otosclerosis or damaged ossicles

Treatment Options for Conductive Hearing Loss

Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss can often be treated with medical intervention, such as medication, surgery, or hearing devices like bone conduction hearing aids. Removing the cause of the obstruction or repairing the damage can lead to a significant restoration of hearing.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Some individuals may experience a mix of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. These can be from related incidents, such as head trauma or an illness, or they can be separate issues, like a person with age-related hearing loss who develops an infection.

Treatment for Mixed Hearing Loss

Each cause involved with mixed hearing loss will have to be treated separately. This could be a combination of hearing aids with antibiotics, earwax removal, or another surgical procedure. Conductive issues can often be fixed, but sensorineural hearing loss will most likely remain.

Take Steps to Protect Your Hearing

Preventive measures against hearing loss are paramount. While some causes of hearing loss, such as aging, are unavoidable, noise-induced hearing loss is preventable with over-the-counter or custom-made hearing protection. Always protect your ears in noisy environments, maintain ear hygiene, avoid inserting objects into the ear canal, and get regular hearing evaluations as part of your healthcare routine.

Schedule a Free Hearing Test and Evaluation

American Hearing Centers locations throughout New Jersey provide complimentary services to diagnose various types of hearing loss. Everyone’s situation is unique, and understanding what type of hearing loss you have and the severity of it is the first step toward successfully managing it. Find a location near you and schedule your free hearing test today.

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