Know the signs of hearing loss

About Your Hearing

We can accurately determine your ear and hearing status with our in-depth hearing assessments at our New Glasgow audiology clinic. Learn more about how the ear works, the signs of hearing loss and the different types of hearing loss.

Did you know?

  • Hearing loss can develop gradually over many years.
  • Symptoms can be so subtle that people don’t even realize they’re affected
  • 1 in 10 people have poor enough hearing that they would benefit from hearing aid(s).
    – only 20% of these people obtain hearing aid(s)
  • 90% of all diagnosed hearing loss is sensorineural in nature

How does the ear work?

Your ear explained

The ear is actually divided into 3 sections.
These are the:

  • Outer Ear

  • Middle Ear

  • Inner Ear

The outer ear consists of the pinna (the only visible part of the ear) and the ear canal which is the place we should never insert Q-tips, bobby pins, car keys, and the list goes on!
The middle ear consists of the tympanic membrane or eardrum and the ossicles (3 of the tiniest bones in our body). The middle ear serves 3 functions. It transmits acoustic vibrations from the eardrum to the cochlea (inner ear). It matches the impedance between the airborne sound in the external ear and the fluid in the inner ear. It protects the inner ear to a certain degree by means of the acoustic reflex.
The inner ear can be thought of as two organs: the semicircular canals which serve as the body's balance organ and the cochlea which serves as the body's microphone, converting sound pressure impulses from the outer ear into electrical impulses which are passed on to the brain via the auditory nerve.

How to recognize hearing loss

What are some of the signs?

Noise

Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear(s)

Conversations

Voices are either too soft and/or they seem to ‘mumble’

Travel loss

Difficulty hearing from a distance

Volume levels

Television volume needs to be louder

Background

Difficulty following conversation in groups and noisy settings

Surroundings

Family and friends have commented on inability to hear
Are you suffering from any of these symptoms?
Book an appointment to learn your options.
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Types of hearing loss

What are the differences?

Hearing loss results when any part of the auditory pathway becomes compromised.

  • Conductive Hearing Loss

    occurs due to conditions of the outer or middle ear (i.e., wax blockage, ear infection, otosclerosis, eardrum perforation etc.) and is often treatable with medications or surgery.

  • Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

    occurs due to conditions of the inner ear or sensory organ (cochlea and associated structures) or the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII). SNHL accounts for about 90% of reported hearing loss.

  • Mixed Hearing Loss

    is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. There may be a problem in the outer or middle ear and in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Start your journey to better hearing

Schedule your appointment

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