Common Types of Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common type of hearing loss. More than 90 percent of all hearing aid wearers have sensorineural hearing loss.  Sensorineural hearing loss is also called " cochlear loss " and " inner ear loss " and is called " nerve loss. " The most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss are age related changes in hearing and noise exposure. People with sensorineural hearing loss typically report they can hear people speak, but can't understand what they're saying. People with sensorineural hearing loss often complain " everyone mumbles. " They also usually hear better in quiet places and may have difficulty understanding what is said over the telephone.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the ear canal, eardrum, or tiny bones of the middle ear, resulting in a reduction of loudness.  Conductive losses may result from earwax blocking the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear, middle ear infection, obstructions in the ear canal, perforations (hole) in the eardrum or problems with the three middle ear bones.  A person with conductive hearing loss may notice their ears seem to be full or plugged. Conductive hearing losses should be evaluated by a physician to explore medical and surgical options. 

Mixed hearing loss means a sensorineural hearing loss combined with a conductive hearing loss. For example, the patient may have a noise induced hearing loss from noise exposure and a perforation in the eardrum. The combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss is therefore, mixed.

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Ear Impressions

All custom made hearing aids and earmolds are made from a " cast " of the ear. The cast is referred to as an ear impression. The hearing professional makes the ear impression in the office.  It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

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Realistic Expectations & Learning to Use Hearing Aids

Although very effective in improving hearing, Hearing aids do not restore normal hearing and will not as good as normal hearing in certain situations.

Hearing aids work very well once they have been professionally fitted and adjusted to your specific needs.  Adjusting the hearing aids to achieve maximal performance (fit, comfort, sound quality etc) usually takes a few weeks of collaboration and cooperation between you and the hearing professional.

At first, you will likely be aware of hearing aids in your ears. With older hearing aids, your voice will sound " funny " (plugged-up, maybe with an echo) when you first wear hearing aids.  Nonetheless, further fine-tuning and adjusting the hearing aids to achieve maximal performance (fit, comfort, sound quality etc) is normal.

People learn at different rates. Some people need a day or two to learn about and adjust to their hearing aids, most need a few weeks and some may need a few months. There is no perfect way to learn about hearing aids. Nonetheless, your hearing professional will work with you to design a " wear-schedule " that's best for you.  While you're learning to use hearing aids, use them in easy and comfortable situations, with familiar people in favorable listening environments (such as one-on-one conversations in quiet) and work towards more difficult listening situations.

Helpful Step-by-Step Approach to Learning to Use Hearing Aids:

• At first, wear the hearing aids in your own home environment.
• Wear the hearing aids only as long as you are comfortable wearing them.
• Accustom yourself to the use of the hearing aids while conversing with just one other person.
• Do not strain to catch every word, even people with normal hearing do not hear every word!
• Practice locating the source of the sound by listening only.
• Increase your tolerance for loud sounds SLOWLY.
• Gradually extend the number of persons with whom you speak.
• Gradually increase the number of difficult listening situations in which you use your hearing aids.
• You may benefit from participating in an organized course of aural rehabilitation, Speak to your hearing care professional to learn about these courses.

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