Hearing Loss Defined
Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. A deaf person has little to no hearing. A common condition that results in hearing loss is chronic ear infections. Certain infections during pregnancy, such as syphilis and rubella, may also cause hearing loss in the child. It may also be caused by a congenital defect, injury, disease, certain medications, exposure to loud noise, or age-related wear and tear. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_loss) For some, hearing may be possible with surgery or a hearing device. Lip-reading skills, written or printed text, and sign language may help with communication.(https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072)
Types of Hearing Loss
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL): Occurs when there is damage or a problem in the inner ear (cochlea) or to the auditory nerve.
- Conductive Hearing Loss: Present when problem exists in the outer or middle ear; impedes in the transmission of the sound to the inner ear. This can be temporary or permanent.
- Mixed Hearing Loss: Problem in your outer or middle ear and in your inner ear. Sometimes, a conductive HL happens at the same time as a SNHL. This means that there is damage in the outer or middle ear AND in the inner ear or nerve pathway to the brain.
Typically, children diagnosed with a conductive hearing loss are fitted with hearing aids or BAHA’s. Children diagnosed with a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss are recommended to get cochlear implants. Children with mixed hearing losses can get two different devices (cochlear implant on one ear and a BAHA on the other. A hearing aid on one ear and a cochlear implant on the other. Etc…)
Parts of The Ear
Outer Ear: Pinna, ear canal, ear drum Middle Ear: Hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), stirrup (stapes) Inner Ear: Oval window, cochlea, auditory nerve
It's important to understand the basics of the ear and how all the pieces fit together. Understanding these basic names and definitions lays the ground work for your understanding of hearing loss as a whole. Once you are able to identify the parts of the ear, identify where they fit in to the 3 types of hearing loss, and determine what type of device might work best for that hearing loss, you are on your way to understanding the numerous inner-workings of the ear, language development, and auditory verbal therapy.
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