- How to Care for Infants With Hearing Loss - April 15, 2024
- Hearing Aid Tips for Runners - April 5, 2024
- Overcoming Misconceptions Around Hearing Aids - March 27, 2024
Hearing loss comes in many different types and variations. In order to treat hearing loss appropriately, we must first understand the type and degree of hearing loss.
Types of Hearing Loss
There are three primary types of hearing loss that can be broken down into congenital or acquired and further distinguished by whether it is bilateral or unilateral. Bilateral means that the hearing loss occurs in both ears, although not necessarily to the same degree. Unilateral means that the hearing loss is one sided.
Single sided, or unilateral hearing loss, can similarly be a range. A person might have mild hearing loss on one side with normal hearing in the other ear. They could also have single sided deafness, SSD, with no hearing in only one ear.
All of the described types of hearing loss can be bilateral or unilateral.
- Sensorineural hearing loss originates from the inner ear. If it is congenital, then it was present was birth. The more common type of sensorineural hearing loss is acquired. Acquired hearing loss can be from age, noise exposure, medications, or trauma.
- Conductive hearing loss originates in the middle or outer ear. Typically caused by an obstruction or infection, it is oftentimes reversible when the obstruction is removed.
- Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the other two types of hearing loss. For example, if someone has age related hearing loss as well as ear wax buildup.
Testing for Unilateral and Bilateral Hearing Loss
Before treating any type of hearing loss, a hearing health professional will want to discuss past medical and occupational history as well as signs and symptoms experienced. A hearing test, or audiogram is likely to follow.
An audiogram tests each ear individually by playing beeps of different frequencies into each ear separately. The patient will either raise their hand or press a button each time they hear one of the beeps. The results of the audiogram appear on a graph with frequency on one axis and volume, in decibels, on the other axis. This will show how each unique ear performs.
Treatment Options for Single-Sided Hearing Loss
After meeting with an audiologist for your hearing test they will be able to direct you to your best treatment options. The best option will depend on the type of hearing you have in both ears. Below are common hearing situations and their most used treatment options.
- One normal hearing ear and single sided deafness
- Contralateral routing of signals, or CROS, has the user wearing devices in both ears. In the deaf ear, the user wears a microphone that transmits sound to the receiver in the other “good ear”.
- Bone anchored hearing aids, or BAHA, are used only on the deaf ear. They have a small surgically implanted device that transmits vibrations to the cochlea in the inner ear. These can also be used for conductive hearing loss as the transmission bypasses the outer and middle ear.
- One moderate hearing loss ear and single sided deafness
- Bilateral contralateral routing of signals, or BiCROS, works similarly to the CROS system. The main difference is that the “good ear” has some degree of hearing loss that requires correction. In this case the deaf ear continues to wear the microphone that transmits noise to the hearing aid receiver in the opposite ear, however the receiver also works as a hearing aid and amplifier for that ear.
- Unilateral and bilateral severe or profound hearing loss
- Hearing aids can sometimes be used for severe or profound hearing loss, depending on the patient preference and situation. Hearing aids are programmable to match each ear’s unique needs and work through sound and frequency amplification.
- Cochlear Implants can be used as well for severe or profound hearing loss. They, like BAHA, require a small surgically implanted device. Unlike BAHA, the vibrations from cochlear implants are transmitted directly to the auditory nerve.
Hearing loss treatment is a personal choice that should be made with the guidance of an audiologist or hearing health provider. As technology advances, the options continue to grow and become more innovative.
If you are experiencing any changes to your hearing, speak with a provider as soon as possible.