Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, moderately-severe, severe, or profound, and it can vary across frequencies. Hearing loss can be gradual and will typically worsen over time. It is measured in terms of decibels (dB). Higher dB levels indicate worse hearing and low dB levels indicate better hearing. For example, if a person’s hearing loss is measured at 100 dB, it indicates just about complete deafness in that ear for a certain noise frequency level. A score of 0 indicates normal hearing and a score less than 0 indicates above-average hearing.
Youe Guide to Hearing Loss, in decibels:
- Normal hearing range: 0-25 dB for adults and 0-15 dB for children
- Mild hearing loss range: 25-39 dB
- Moderate hearing loss range: 40-69 dB
- Severe hearing loss range: 70-94 dB
- Profound hearing loss range: 95+ dB (total deafness at 100 dB)
The 3 Types of Hearing Loss
- Conductive hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)
- Mixed hearing loss
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are not properly passed from the outer ear to the middle ear.
What Are The Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss?
- Malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear
- Fluid in the inner ear
- Ear infection
- Allergies
- Malfunction of the Eustachian tube
- Eardrum that’s perforated
- Tumors in the ear
- Earwax
- Otosclerosis – overgrowth of bone in the ear which prevents necessary vibration when stimulated by sound
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
Sensorineural hearing loss is related to nerve problems in the inner ear, more specifically in the cochlea.
What Are The Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
- Loud noise
- Head trauma
- Disease or a virus, i.e., autoimmune inner ear disease, Meniere’s disease
- Congenital hearing loss
- Aging – damaged hair cells result
- Malformation of the inner ear
- Otosclerosis
- Tumors
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of Sensorineural hearing loss and Conductive hearing loss indicating problems with all three parts of the ear: outer, middle, and inner.
What Are The Causes of Mixed Hearing Loss?
- Refer to Sensorineural and Conductive hearing loss causes
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids today are sleek, compact, and technologically advanced to meet the demands of your lifestyle. Hearing aids also are designed in different styles such as in-the-ear or behind-the-ear, and they specifically address the type of hearing loss you have, whether it be mild, moderate, moderately-severe, severe, or profound.
Listen 2 Life Hearing Center is the expert in assessing and diagnosing hearing loss and disorders. We also offer the most competitive hearing aid pricing and highest rated aftercare program in Philadelphia. We are thoroughly familiar with just about every hearing aid model and type, from Signia, Oticon, Sonic, Phonak, and Starkey.