Sound is actually pressure waves. The outer ear collects sound waves and channels them down the ear canal, where they cause the ear drum to vibrate. This in turn causes the middle ear bones (collectively called the ossicles; or individually known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup) to move, increasing and amplifying the vibrations and transmitting them to the inner ear (the cochlea). The inner ear resembles a snail shell containing fluid. The vibrations cause the fluid to move, setting tiny hearing nerves (hair cells) in motion. An electrical signal is then sent along the auditory nerve which the brain translates into the sounds you hear.
There are two main types of hearing loss: Sensorineural Hearing Loss Also known as nerve deafness, this type of hearing loss involves the deterioration of the inner ear. The tiny hairs that line the ear passage, and which carry sound, have been damaged. This type of hearing loss is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to high volume levels and the normal aging process. Sensorineural hearing loss cannot be treated with medication or surgery. Hearing instruments are the best way to treat sensorineural hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss This type of hearing loss occurs when the inner ear does not properly receive sound vibrations from the middle ear because of a blockage or malfunction of the middle ear bones. Conductive hearing loss can best be treated through medication and/or surgery. If surgery or medication is not an option for you, hearing instruments can be an excellent solution to this type hearing problem, too.
These are a few of the common indications of hearing loss.
Do you hear people talk but have difficulty understanding the words?
Do long conversations make you feel tired or irritable?
Do people seem to mumble or speak more softly than they used to?
Do you need to ask people to repeat things frequently?
Do you piece together the meaning of speech without hearing all the words?
Are you turning up the volume on the radio or TV above where others listen?
Is it difficult to converse on the phone or your cell phone?
Do you hear better with one ear than the other?
Is it harder to hear when background noise is present?
Do you strain to hear in crowded restaurants?
Have you had any significant noise exposure at work, recreation or in military service?
Do you have difficulty following dialog at the movies or in a theater?
Is it easier to understand men’s voices than women’s?
Do you often misunderstand what others say?
Is it sometimes difficult to understand the speaker at a public meeting or service?
Does difficulty hearing cause you anxiety or embarrassment in new situations?
Does difficulty hearing cause you to visit with friends or family members less often than you’d like?
Has anyone close to you suggested that you might have a hearing problem?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may need to get your hearing evaluated.
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Audiometrix Hearing Solutions
3715 Parkmoor Village Drive Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917
