When people think of hearing loss, they often imagine the same experience for everyone: sounds getting quieter over time. But the truth is more complex. Just like no two individuals are exactly alike, no two cases of hearing loss are wholly the same. Based on the following three factors, hearing loss can look very different from one person to the next.
Cause of Hearing Loss
The cause of your hearing loss can determine which part of your ear is affected and your overall hearing ability. Common causes include:
- Aging. Aging typically affects the inner ear, where hair cells gradually break down. This makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds and understand speech, especially in noise.
- Noise exposure. Loud sounds damage the inner ear hair cells. Because these cells don’t regrow, this type of hearing loss is usually permanent and often affects clarity more than volume.
- Earwax buildup. Excess wax blocks the outer ear, preventing sound from reaching the eardrum. This causes temporary, muffled hearing that is usually treatable.
- Ear infections or fluid. Fluid in the middle ear interferes with sound movement, making hearing feel dull or “underwater.”
- Medications (ototoxic drugs). Certain medications damage the inner ear, leading to hearing loss that may develop gradually or suddenly.
Type of Hearing Loss
Every sound you hear travels through three main areas: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Where a problem happens along this path plays a major role in your overall hearing experience.
- Conductive hearing loss is due to an outer or middle ear issue. Causes like earwax buildup, fluid, infections or a perforated eardrum block sound before it reaches the inner ear. Sounds may seem muffled or quieter, but when they’re loud enough, they’re often still clear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss stems from inner ear or auditory nerve damage. Aging, noise exposure or certain medications can damage the tiny hair cells in the cochlea. These cells help convert sound into signals the brain can understand. When they’re damaged, sound may seem distorted, not just quiet.
- Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Problems exist in both the inner and middle/outer ear, causing sound to be less clear and quieter.
Severity of Hearing Loss
Your degree of hearing loss is tied to the range of decibels you have trouble hearing. Here is a standard classification system used by audiologists, including the symptoms an individual may experience.
- Mild hearing loss (26–40 dB). You have difficulty hearing soft speech and certain consonants, and you frequently ask people to repeat themselves. Group conversations are becoming more challenging.
- Moderate hearing loss (41–55 dB). You have trouble hearing normal conversation volume and must make an increased effort to follow discussions, especially in background noise.
- Moderately severe hearing loss (56–70 dB). You need raised voices to understand speech. Conversations without amplification become difficult, and you rely more on visual cues (e.g., lip-reading and/or facial expressions).
- Severe hearing loss (71–90 dB). You can only hear loud speech or environmental sounds, and most verbal communication requires amplification or visual support.
- Profound hearing loss (91+ dB). You may not hear speech at all, and your communication often involves lip-reading or sign language.
The good news is that no matter what the cause, type or severity of hearing loss you have, there’s likely a hearing device that can help. At our clinic, we offer personalized hearing care, customized treatment plans, thorough hearing aid fittings and ongoing follow-up care to help you make the most of your device. Start your journey to better hearing today by contacting us to schedule an appointment.