What Are the 6 Types of Hearing Problems?

The symptoms of hearing loss can vary depending on the severity and the type of hearing
loss.
Three early signs of hearing damage include

1. Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds: High-frequency hearing loss occurs when you cannot hear sounds at higher frequencies, such as 2,000 Hz or higher. This is one of the earliest signs of hearing damage and is often caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. These cells convert sound waves into electrical signals that the brain can interpret. When damaged, they can no longer respond to high-frequency sounds, making it difficult for a person to hear certain sounds.
2. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears): Characterized as a ringing, buzzing, or whistling sound in the ears that are not caused by an external source. It can be a symptom of damage to the auditory nerve or inner ear and is often associated with exposure to loud noise or certain medications. In some cases, tinnitus can be temporary and go away on its own, but in other cases, it can be a chronic condition that lasts months or even years. 
3. Gradual loss of hearing ability over time: Occurs over a long period and is often caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. Age-related can also cause changes in the inner ear. People with this symptom may have difficulty hearing in noisy environments or need to turn up the volume on their television or radio. They may find themselves repeating or misinterpreting the words of others.

Some common signs and symptoms of hearing loss include

• Difficulty hearing or understanding spoken words, especially in noisy environments or echoing spaces
• Asking people to repeat themselves frequently
• Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, such as the doorbell or phone ring
• Muffled speech
• Turning up the volume on the television or radio excessively
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Refraining from conversations
• Avoidance of social gatherings

Hearing loss may be caused because of multiple factors. The following are 10 common causes:

1. Aging
   • Hearing loss can be age-related, which is also known as presbycusis.
   • It can develop because of deteriorated or damaged inner ear hair cells.
2. Noise exposure
   • Prolonged exposure to loud noises can harm the inner ear's hair cells and cause hearing loss.
   • People who work in noisy environments, such as construction or manufacturing, may be at a higher risk of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to loud noises.
   • Participating in loud sporting events or concerts or using loud gear or power tools can cause hearing loss.
3. Family history
   • Hearing loss may run in families and be passed down from one generation to the next, so having a family history of hearing loss increases the risk.
4. Certain medications
   • Can have hearing loss as a side effect, including some antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
5. Medical conditions
   • Several diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune diseases, may increase the risk of hearing loss.
6. Infections
   • Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear and otitis media is an infection of the middle ear.
   • If such infections are left untreated, they can result in either temporary or permanent hearing loss.
7. Trauma
   • Head injuries or ear trauma may rupture the eardrum, which can lead to hearing loss.
8. Structural abnormalities
   • Hearing loss may result from structural abnormalities of the ear, such as malformations of the inner ear or blockages in the ear canal.
   • Abnormal bone growth or tumors may cause conductive hearing loss.
9. Smoking
   • Due to the harmful effects of nicotine and other substances on the auditory system, smoking can increase the risk of hearing loss.
10. Ethnicity
    • Researchers have found that certain racial and ethnic groups, including Native Americans and African Americans, are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss.

If you present to your doctor with a complaint of hearing loss, they would note down your complete medical history and family history and may ask you questions regarding your occupational surroundings and possible exposure to loud noises.

Various tests can evaluate your hearing and determine the cause and severity of your hearing loss. These tests include

Audiometric test

• This is a hearing test that can determine the softest sounds that you can hear at different frequencies.
• You will be asked to sit in a special room and provided with headphones.
• As you put on the headphones, you will hear a variety of tones with varying levels and pitches.
• You are asked to make a signal when you hear a sound.
• The results appear on an audiogram, which displays the softest sounds you can hear at various frequencies.

Speech recognition test

• This test evaluates your comprehension of spoken words. 
• You will be asked to repeat a series of words spoken by the person administering the test.

Tympanometry

• This examination assesses how the eardrum responds to variations in atmospheric pressure. 
• It can assist in finding out a potential middle ears issue, such as a fluid buildup or a structural anomaly.

Auditory brainstem response test

• This test assesses the brain's response to sound.
• A series of clicks or tones are heard through headphones while electrodes are put on the skull. 
• The brain's reaction to the noises is measured by the electrodes.
• The auditory nerve and brainstem function can be evaluated with this test.

Radiological imaging techniques, such as CT and MRI, can detect structural anomalies such as boney growths or tumors, which contribute to conductive hearing loss.

There are several treatment options for hearing loss, and the appropriate treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the loss.

The six most common treatment options include

1. Hearing aids
   • Hearing aids are discreet, behind-the-ear electrical devices that amplify sound.
   • They can aid those with mild to severe hearing loss in hearing better. 
   • Hearing aids can be worn behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal, or completely in the canal.
2. Cochlear implants
   • Surgically inserted electronic devices that help people with severe to profound hearing loss hear better. 
   • Sound waves are transformed into electrical signals, which are then sent straight to the auditory nerve, which is directed to the auditory process center in the brain.
3. Assistive listening devices
   • These include amplified phones and personal listening devices that can improve hearing during certain instances, such as using the phone or watching television.
4. Surgery
   • Maybe an option to remove an obstruction from the ear such as a tumor or to treat a structural problem.
5. Communication strategies
   • People with hearing loss may benefit from employing communication techniques to understand spoken words, such as lip reading, sign language, or written communication.
6. Educational and support services
   • These services can assist people with hearing loss in learning to communicate effectively and adjusting to the difficulties of their condition. 
   • Some of these services include audiology and speech-language therapy.

Certain conditions causing hearing loss such as age-related or hereditary factors cannot be prevented. However, following certain preventive measures can either help prevent hearing loss or reduce the risk and delay the onset of hearing loss.

The following six steps can help prevent hearing loss:

1. Protect your ears from loud noises
   • Hearing loss can be prevented by limiting your exposure to or avoiding loud noises.
   • If avoiding is not an option, then wear earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, which can help protect your ears from loud noises, which may harm your hearing.
2. Regular evaluation of your hearing
   • Regular hearing checkups can help detect hearing loss early, enabling you to take action to stop further loss.
3. Quit smoking
   • Nicotine is noted to cause detrimental effects on the auditory system and increase the risk of hearing loss.
   • Quitting smoking is the best solution to reduce your risk of hearing loss.
4. Avoid certain medications
   • Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some antibiotics can induce hearing loss as a side effect.
   • It is crucial to discuss the potential hazards and possible alternatives with your doctor before taking these drugs.
5. Get vaccinated
   • Infections such as measles and mumps can cause hearing loss.
   • Getting immunized can lower the chance of hearing loss and help protect against these illnesses.
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
   • Eating right, working out frequently, and controlling stress can help you avoid health issues such as hearing loss.