There are three types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss: In this hearing loss, something keeps sound from passing through your outer ear (ear canal) or your middle ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss: This hearing loss happens when something damages your inner ear over time. Rarely, sensorineural hearing loss happens very quickly. This is sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), or sudden deafness. SSHL may happen all at once or over a few days.
- Mixed: This happens when you have issues in your middle or outer ear (conductive hearing loss) and your inner ear (sensorineural hearing loss).
What are stages of hearing loss?
If you have a hearing test, your audiologist will share test results and explain what they mean. Often, hearing loss is classified as the degree of loss. The degree of loss is how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the degrees of loss are:
- Normal.
- Slight.
- Mild.
- Moderate.
- Moderately severe.
- Severe.
- Profound.
What are hearing loss symptoms?
Most people lose their hearing gradually. They may not even notice that it’s happening. In general, you may be developing hearing loss if:
- You often ask people to repeat themselves.
- You have trouble following a conversation, especially when you’re talking on the telephone or in a noisy environment like a restaurant.
- You think people are mumbling.
- You can’t hear certain high-pitched sounds, like birds singing.
- You need to turn up the volume on your television, computer, or tablet.
- You have tinnitus (ringing in your ears).
- Your ear hurts (earache).
- You feel as if there’s pressure or fluid inside your ear.
- You have balance problems or dizziness.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Contact your healthcare provider if you think your hearing loss is getting worse. You may need a different kind of hearing support.
Tinnitus
What is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the medical term for the sensation of hearing sound in your ears when no external sound is present. It affects 50 million (nearly one in six) Americans. Most describe the sound as ringing, though others describe it as hissing, buzzing, whistling, roaring or chirping.
For some, tinnitus is mild or intermittent. For others, it's severe and can have a profound impact on their quality of life. For everyone, finding tinnitus relief is important.
Did you know?
- Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have some level of noise-induced hearing loss.1
- 1 in 10 American adults have experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year.2
- Tinnitus is the leading service-related disability among U.S. veterans.3
What causes tinnitus?
The exact physical cause of tinnitus is not known, but several sources can trigger it or make it worse, including:
- Loud noises and hearing loss – Exposure to loud noises can destroy the non-regenerative cilia (tiny hairs) in the cochlea, causing permanent tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- Aging – As you age, those same cilia gradually deteriorate, which can lead to tinnitus and/or hearing loss.
- Ototoxic medications – Some prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants are harmful to the inner ear as well as the nerve fibers connecting the cochlea to the brain.
- Hearing conditions – Disorders like otosclerosis and Ménière’s disease are known to cause tinnitus.
- Health conditions – Tinnitus can also be a symptom of health conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stress and head injuries.
Is there a cure?
Currently, there is no known tinnitus cure. But according to the American Tinnitus Association, there are recommended ways to get relief, including counseling and sound therapy.
Proven tinnitus relief products are an effective part of any sound therapy. They utilize a customizable and comforting sound stimulus to soothe the annoying noises associated with tinnitus.
What should you do if you think you have tinnitus?
The first step is to visit a hearing healthcare professional for a clinical evaluation. Specialized tests are performed to diagnose tinnitus and different options can be discussed to find what is right for you.
