Hearing loss makes it difficult for individuals to go about their days as they usually would. But did you know that not all individuals with auditory problems are experiencing the same type of hearing loss?
To better understand your hearing impairments, it’s crucial to know how the different parts of your ear work to process sound in conjunction with your brain. For an individual’s hearing to work seamlessly, the external ear, middle ear, and inner ear must function correctly.
Damage to any part of the ear can result in hearing loss, but the type of hearing loss depends on the damaged part. To get to the root of your hearing impairment, it’s essential to understand what kind of hearing loss you have.
By scheduling a hearing evaluation with El Dorado Hearing, you can have peace of mind knowing our team will walk you through the different types of hearing loss and offer recommendations to restore your hearing.
Conductive Hearing Loss vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
It’s easy to think that hearing loss is simply that — hearing loss. However, not all hearing loss is the same. There are three types of hearing loss that an individual may be experiencing depending on the kind of damage to their ear.
To help you classify the type of hearing loss you or a loved one may be experiencing, we’ve outlined the following types: sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
If you are experiencing an issue with your ear preventing sound waves from traveling from the outer ear to the inner ear, you may be experiencing conductive hearing loss. In mild cases, conductive hearing loss can be caused by earwax buildup or an ear infection, making it difficult for the ear to transport the soundwaves.
In most cases, individuals experiencing conductive hearing loss will be able to restore their hearing ability after treating the underlying condition. The team at El Dorado Hearing may recommend medical intervention if your hearing evaluation undercovers any of the following ailments:
- Ear wax buildup
- Diseased outer or middle ear
- Congenital defects in the ear
- Upper respiratory tract infections
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Unlike conductive hearing loss, which often occurs from underlying conditions and can be corrected with treatment, sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
Because of this, sensorineural hearing loss cannot be medically or surgically treated. This damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve can happen for several reasons, including:
- Exposure to loud noises
- Hereditary deafness
- Age
- Premature birth
- Antibiotics
- Auditory nerve tumor
Suppose your hearing evaluation uncovers that you are experiencing sensorineural hearing loss. In that case, our hearing specialists will put together a recommended treatment plan to restore your hearing as much as possible.
The most common treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is hearing aids, which won’t treat the condition but will help restore the hearing loss when worn.
Mixed Hearing Loss
It’s important to undergo a professional hearing evaluation to determine your hearing loss because some individuals experience conductive and sensorineural hearing loss simultaneously.
The individual may be experiencing sensorineural hearing loss but also develop an underlying condition resulting in hearing loss. If you or a loved one try to guess the type of hearing loss you have, you may not be able to treat it accurately without the help of a professional.
Hearing Loss Treatment
One of the most effective hearing loss treatments is hearing aids. Hearing aids are available in many sizes, styles, and technologies, allowing individuals to find a pair that meets their specific needs.
If hearing aids aren’t suitable for you, a hearing specialist can review many alternatives to hearing aids to help restore your hearing. We provide complete evaluations at El Dorado Hearing to assist in managing your hearing loss. Our hearing specialists are highly experienced and offer an in-depth hearing assessment to evaluate whether you have hearing loss and the extent to which the loss affects you.
We strive to make our hearing offices comfortable where everyone feels welcome. For personalized hearing testing in Tucson, AZ, make El Dorado Hearing of Tucson first on your list. We’ll help you find the proper hearing aids to restore your hearing.
If you are ready to regain control of your hearing, visit us at one of our hearing clinics. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our caring and expert hearing specialists!
info@ElDoradoHearing.com
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