Danica - Hearing loss

Different types of hearing loss

There are many different types of hearing losses. We distinguish between conductive hearing loss, perceptive hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and temporary hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss stems from problems of the outer or middle ear, and can often be corrected.

Outer ear t Conductive hearing loss is caused by any condition or disease that blocks or impedes the conveyance of sound through the outer or middle ear. It involves an obstruction to sound waves reaching the inner ear.

Conductive hearing loss can be caused by accumulation of wax in the ear canal, Middle ear t perforation of the eardrum, fluid in the middle ear or abnormal bone growth in the middle ear (otosclerosis). Often, a conductive hearing loss is responsive to medical or surgical treatment. If ignored, may result in worsening of the hearing loss.

Perceptive (Sensorineural) hearing loss

Inner ear t Perceptive hearing loss results from inner ear or auditory nerve dysfunction. This results in the brain not receiving all the sounds at the correct intensities and frequencies that it needs to make sound or speech understandable. Perceptive hearing loss is sometimes referred to as nerve deafness.

In most cases, a hearing loss occurs because the delicate hair cells in the inner ear either break or weaken. This is most likely to occur when exposed to loud noises or because of aging. With perceptive hearing loss it becomes harder to distinguish speech from noise and you will often have to ask people to repeat themselves. Also, high-pitched sounds are often not heard.

Once the hair cells in the inner ear are damaged, nothing can be done to repair them. However, hearing aids can improve your hearing ability greatly, when suffering from perceptive hearing loss.

Extremely loud noises can cause permanent damage to the inner ear and thereby cause a permanent hearing loss. Therefore, we advise you to protect your ears and wear earplugs when exposed to loud noises. Loud sounds are defined as those above 90 dB, and may even be found work or social laces e.g. construction sites, music concert or factories. Staying within 100 meters from a jet motor from an aircraft can also be damaging to your ears. Noise from heavy traffic lies just below 90 dB.

As a rule of thumb, if your surroundings are so loud you must raise your voice to be heard and you cannot hear yourself, then the sound is potentially damaging to your hearing. We suggest you wear earplugs or avoid the situation.

Mixed hearing loss

A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a conductive and a perceptive hearing loss. Hearing instruments can be beneficial for persons with a mixed hearing loss.

Temporary hearing loss