Description

Conductive Hearing Loss Any problem in the outer or middle ear that prevents sound waves from travelling naturally to the inner ear is known as a conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing losses are usually mild or moderate in degree. Sensorineural Hearing Loss Which results from missing or damaged sensory cells (hair cells) in the cochlea (our snail shaped hearing organ) or neural hearing loss and is usually permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe or profound. Mixed Hearing Loss This is a combination of a sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. It results from complications in both the inner and outer or middle ear. Neural Hearing Loss The least common of hearing loss types, resulting from the absence, damage or malfunction of the auditory nerve. HEARING LOSS AND ITS TYPES A person may be born with hearing difficulties, or they may be acquired due to multiple factors. Hearing tests should always be performed by an experienced audiologist (a professional specialized in hearing), who will test hearing in order to determine the type, cause and severity. These tests vary according to the patient’s age and needs. The results are then discussed with the patient and/or their family. The degrees of hearing loss vary from a mild hearing loss (affecting one’s ability to hear soft sounds) to a moderate, severe or even profound hearing loss (where the individual cannot hear most sounds). Hearing loss also has types, according to the affected part of the ear. These include: Conductive Hearing Loss Any problem in the outer or middle ear that prevents sound waves from travelling naturally to the inner ear is known as a conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing losses are usually mild or moderate in degree. Sensorineural Hearing Loss Which results from missing or damaged sensory cells (hair cells) in the cochlea (our snail shaped hearing organ) or neural hearing loss and is usually permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe or profound. Mixed Hearing Loss This is a combination of a sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. It results from complications in both the inner and outer or middle ear. Neural Hearing Loss The least common of hearing loss types, resulting from the absence, damage or malfunction of the auditory nerve. Effects of Hearing Loss on Child and Adults Child development, It is well recognised that hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication and learning. The earlier the hearing loss occurs in a child's life, the more serious the effects on the child's development. Similarly, the earlier the problem is identified and intervention begun, the less serious the overall effect. Recent research indicates that children identified with a hearing loss who begin services early may be able to develop language (spoken and/or signed) at the level of their hearing peers. There are four major ways in which hearing loss affects children and young adults. It causes delay in the development of receptive and expressive communication skills (speech, language and vocabulary). The language deficit causes learning problems that may result in reduced academic achievement. Communication difficulties often lead to social isolation and poor self-esteem. It may also have an impact on choice of vocation, or result in discrimination or negative attitudes towards a hearing impaired person.

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