A Brief Overview of Each Type of Hearing Loss

We can all experience a slight blunting of our senses from time to time. Having a cold during this time of year can impair your ability to smell and taste as you would usually; and aging can impair your ability to react to and feel certain sensations, for example. Another issue that might arise as we grow older, but which can also occur at other points in our lives, is hearing loss.

You can use this guide to learn more about hearing loss and what to expect as the condition progresses. If you suspect that you are experiencing some of the symptoms of hearing loss, or if you have recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, this guide can assist you in learning more about the condition.

Kinds of Hearing Loss

The main types of hearing loss are divided into three categories:

• Sensorineural hearing loss: This indicates there is a problem developing in either the inner ear or the auditory nerve, which transports sound to the brain.
• Conductive hearing loss: This means the sound is not reaching the inner ear, generally owing to an obstruction or trauma.
• Mixed hearing loss: This means that the hearing loss is being caused by a combination of the above two.

Understanding Your Choices

To manage hearing loss, most people will be advised to get hearing aids. Your audiologist will be able to talk you through which ones are most appropriate and will help you the most. They will also be able to help you to understand the fitting process, as well as maintaining them, troubleshooting any issues and repairing them if necessary.

Types of Hearing Aids

Completely in canal (CIC): These are very small and discreet and almost impossible for other people to see. They are custom-made to fit completely in your ear canal. The one issue with these is that they can be susceptible to earwax buildup and moisture.

In the canal (ITC): These are small and custom-made to fit in your ear canal. They generally have a better battery life than the above model and are easy to remove and insert. ITC hearing aids have a directional microphone that removes background noise and enhances important sounds, like speech.

Invisible in the canal (IIC): These, as the name suggests, are almost completely invisible. They are slightly more difficult for those who have limited mobility due to their positioning and size of them for fitting. They are also more susceptible to earwax buildup and moisture. However, they are well placed for reducing wind noise and adapting to the sound environment,

Behind the ear (BTE): These are one of the most popular styles because of their ability to address a range of hearing losses, including mild-to-profound. It is all housed behind your ear, and a transparent tube connects to an earpiece designed to fit within your ear.

Newer hearing aids are more streamlined and thinner than older models, making them an excellent choice for individuals who have dexterity issues or vision impairment. They generally can house more sophisticated tech and functions than smaller hearing aids.