Understanding Hearing Loss

The three types of hearing loss

The medical community has identified three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and combined. Hearing loss affects your quality of life, health and social interactions, and how you treat it depends on its severity. 

There are 3 types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss
Combined hearing loss

Is it temporary or permanent?

It’s not easy to determine whether the inability to hear well is permanent (and might lead to deafness), a sign of a disease or disorder, or a symptom that will clear up on its own. It’s common for the ear to recover after brief noise trauma. One of the typical causes of permanent hearing damage is long-term exposure to loud noises. Many other factors, like nutrition, stress levels and natural ageing, also play a role in your hearing health.

Why hearing aids?

While no medicine can cure hearing problems, users can benefit hugely from wearing hearing aids. Today’s state-of-the-art solutions can deliver clear, natural sound quality and pair with your smartphone. It’s virtually invisible when worn and can have a positive impact on your overall health. Hearing aids fitted by a hearing care provider will never be too loud and won’t damage your hearing further. In fact, hearing aids are the only proven way to stop the progression of hearing loss.

Consequences of hearing difficulties

Hearing loss can make everyday tasks a challenge, and it can be frustrating when others don’t understand your listening situation. Your spouse, children, colleagues, and friends should know that hearing loss can have multiple effects on someone’s life.

Social

Studies show that untreated progressive hearing loss can lead to depression, low self-esteem and social isolation, and make it difficult to concentrate.

Physical

If left untreated, it can cause fatigue, exhaustion and headaches. There’s also a link between hearing loss and an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Do you have hearing difficulties? We can help!

Useful links

Discover tips and information on our Hearing Health Hub page.