TYPES OF HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss is a very serious issue, with RNID reporting that one in five adults – 12 million people – have at least mild hearing loss in the UK. This article describes in detail the three main types of hearing loss and some of the key differences between them.
We’ll also explain what causes hearing loss in one ear only and sudden hearing loss.
The three main types of hearing loss are:
Sensorineural hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss
For each of these types of hearing loss, we’ll also outline the different treatment options.
Please note that if you want to take a hearing loss test, they are available for free on the NHS. However, it may take weeks to see a specialist.
Alternatively, several charities such as The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), or pharmacies such as Boots, offer a quick and free hearing loss test online.
Though it is a fairly prevalent condition, hearing loss can often be prevented or managed. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of its causes and how to reduce the risk of developing it.
Hearing loss: a growing problem
By 2035, RNID estimates that hearing loss will affect 14.2 million adults. Worryingly, it also reports that people wait 10 years on average before seeking help for their condition.
Having mild hearing loss means you can’t hear sounds of 25-40 decibels (dB) and would struggle to hear speech in noisy situations.
The other levels of hearing loss – as defined by the British Society of Audiology – are:
Moderate hearing loss: unable to hear sounds between 41-70dB and finding it difficult to follow speech in general
Severe hearing loss: unable to hear sounds between 71-95dB and struggling to follow speech without a hearing aid
Profound hearing loss: unable to hear sounds of more than 95dB and in need of a hearing aid, cochlear implant, sign language and/or lip-reading.
Moreover, research has shown that there is a link between deafness, dementia and a decline in brain cognitive abilities. For hearing loss, prevention is better than cure, and there are ways of minimising your chances of developing it, or managing the condition.
Here are the differences between the three main types of hearing loss, as well as how they can be managed or treated:
#1 Sensorineural hearing loss
Out of the different types of hearing loss, the most common form is sensorineural hearing loss and it is usually permanent. It is caused by damage to auditory nerves or stereocilia cells in the inner ear.
The most frequent causes are noise-induced hearing loss, often from work, or age-related hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss cannot normally be cured medically or surgically, but it can be treated and managed with a hearing aid or a cochlear implant. If you think you may need a hearing aid or an implant, the NHS provides further information.
Both the loudness and clarity of sounds are affected by sensorineural hearing loss, meaning that you may be able to hear people speaking, just not very clearly.
Tinnitus, which is typically when you perceive some form of ringing noise in the ears, is also a symptom of sensorineural hearing loss.
As well as noise-induced hearing loss, deafness can be inherited or caused by rare genetic syndromes. Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, for example, is a rare form of sensorineural hearing loss.
In order to reduce the likelihood of developing sensorineural hearing loss, it’s important to take precautions to manage and limit exposure to loud noise. By adopting measures to monitor noise exposure, for example in a loud work environment, you can be proactive in protecting yourself and other employees from noise-induced hearing loss.
#2 Conductive hearing loss
Out of these first two types of hearing loss, this one is less common.
Conductive hearing loss is usually due to an obstruction or damage to the middle or outer ear, such as the ear canal or drum.
The specific causes of conductive hearing loss are wide-ranging; they can include earwax, fluid, infections, or tumours preventing sound from reaching the inner ear. In some cases, it could be due to the ear’s formation.
In contrast to sensorineural hearing loss, this condition primarily impacts the loudness of sounds, rather than the clarity. Other symptoms can include feeling pain or pressure in the ear.
Conductive hearing loss can sometimes be treated medically or surgically, or otherwise managed by a hearing aid if it is permanent. The NHS provides further information on hearing aids, how they can help, and how to get the necessary support.
#3 Mixed hearing loss
This is a combination of the above two types of hearing loss. With sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss, one can lead to the other.
For example, someone with conductive hearing loss could begin to experience age-related hearing loss too.
Alternatively, someone with sensorineural hearing loss could then also have their hearing affected by earwax or an infection.
Mixed hearing loss typically occurs when the ear sustains some form of trauma.
Symptoms are a mix of those associated with sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss.
Similarly, the most suitable form of treatment will depend on whether the cause is more associated with sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss.
Hearing loss in one ear
These three types of hearing loss can also take place in just one ear rather than both.
This is also known as unilateral hearing loss, as opposed to bilateral hearing loss.
Hearing loss in one ear can alternatively be referred to as single-sided deafness, usually when the damage is profound.
Once again, the best form of treatment depends on whether the symptoms are more related to those of sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss.
Symptoms which are particular to hearing loss in one ear include:
Muffling of higher-pitched sounds: also known as the ‘head shadow’ effect
Struggling to locate sounds: this is due to the impact on your sound localisation
Feeling disoriented in a crowd: this is due to the effect on your selective listening
Detecting sounds off-kilter: the brain senses sounds louder than normal
Hearing loss in one ear can build gradually over time, but in more serious cases it develops very quickly. This is why it’s important to monitor and limit your exposure to noise, particularly if you work in an industry where loud environments are common.
Sudden hearing loss
If you experience sudden hearing loss in one ear, this is an emergency and it needs urgent medical attention.
The NHS’ advice, if this happens, is to ask for a GP appointment immediately or use its 111 phone and online service.
There are a range of potential causes for this; these include head trauma, physical damage to the ear, infections, or Ménière’s disease – which can also cause feelings of dizziness and vertigo.
With sudden hearing loss, you may also experience ‘double hearing’ or diplacusis. This is the often troubling perception of the same sounds at two different pitches.
If you ever think you’re experiencing sudden hearing loss, it’s crucial to get treated as soon as possible in order to prevent further damage or maintain your hearing.
Summary: types of hearing loss
There are three main types of hearing loss:
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and is often age-related or caused by noise-induced hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is less common and is usually caused by an obstruction or damage to the ear
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of these and one can cause the other
There are also different severities which affect how many dB you can hear; these range from mild hearing loss to profound hearing loss.
Hearing loss in one ear only is also possible and if this happens suddenly, urgent medical attention is required. Partial deafness can be managed by wearing a hearing aid, or a cochlear implant can be fitted to manage profound hearing loss.
It is possible to treat conductive hearing loss medically or via surgical procedures. However, sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent, which is why it’s important to take precautions to mitigate the risk of developing it in the first place.
If you’re experiencing hearing loss, we recommend that you seek advice from a medical professional.
Protect your hearing with EAVE
In many cases, hearing loss can be prevented, so it’s vital for employers to follow important measures. These include adhering to The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and ensuring employees wear effective protective equipment for hearing.
With noise-induced hearing loss such a common cause of partial and total deafness, it’s vital to take steps to control environmental noise and reduce exposure to it. At EAVE, we believe that prevention is always better than cure.
To find out more about how EAVE’s noise management and intelligent hearing protection solutions can help you to reduce the risk of hearing loss in your workplace, contact us or book a demo today.