Hearing loss
Hearing loss refers to conditions in which people are fully or partially unable to hear certain frequencies of sound. As hearing loss usually evolves over a period of time, the changes are subtle. In most cases, hearing loss is a natural and age-related event.
The severity of hearing losses is ranked according to the loudness a sound must have before being detected, measured in decibels (dB):
Mild hearing loss (27 to 40 dB) – soft sounds are not heard, understanding speech is difficult in a loud environment
Moderate hearing loss (41 to 55 dB) – soft and moderately loud sounds are not heard, understanding speech becomes very difficult if background noise is present
Moderately severe hearing loss (56 to 70 dB) – between moderate and severe
Severe hearing loss (71 to 90 dB) – conversations have to be conducted loudly, group conversations are possible only with a lot of effort
Profound hearing loss (90 dB or greater) – some very loud noises are heard, but communication is no longer possible, even with intensive effort
Hearing sensitivity varies according to the frequency of sounds. To take this into account, hearing ability is measured over a range of frequencies, the result is plotted on an audiogram.
Sensorineural hearing loss
The most common cause for hearing loss is sensorineural, affecting the inner ear. It is usually caused by the natural ageing process: continuous impacts on the fine hair cells in the inner ear can over time affect the transmission of signals to the auditory nerves. Exposure to loud noise, some types of medication or skull fractures can also have an influence on the hair cells and damage them. Damages to the hair cells are irreparable and cannot be treated medically. A hearing aid, however, can correct these types of hearing loss in most cases.
Conductive hearing loss
Wax plugs or infections of the auditory canal are typical problems related to the outer ear (conductive hearing loss). Common middle ear related problems are inflammation, fluid behind the eardrum, perforation of the eardrum or otosclerosis (a stiffening of the bones in the middle ear). Most outer and middle ear related problems are temporary and can usually be treated medically or surgically. A possibly resulting permanent hearing loss can be treated with a hearing aid.
The audiogram
An audiogram is a graphic representation of your hearing ability. During a hearing test, your hearing is checked at different frequencies. The result is recorded as a characteristic audiogram curve.
The frequencies: The horizontal scale at the bottom indicates the different frequencies. The low frequencies (e.g. the humming sound of an engine) are located on the far left, the high sounds (e.g. the chirping of a bird) on the far right.
The loudness level: The vertical scale indicates the loudness level of the respective frequency, from soft (top) to loud (bottom). Values are given in decibels (dB). The healthy ear of a young person begins to perceive sounds starting at 0 dB and reaches the threshold of pain at approximately 110 dB.
Hearing capability by age
Audiograms can change over time. Typically, a hearing loss starts at high frequencies (high pitch); it is very common that it increases with the age. The illustration shows the combination of typical audiograms with increasing age.
Modern hearing aids can be individually programmed to compensate advancing hearing loss. State-of-the-art models even offer the possibility to upgrade their performance and functionality.
What you cannot hear with advancing hearing loss
Human speech consists of vowels and consonants which differ in loudness and frequency. They too can be plotted in the audiogram. Depending on the hearing loss, certain vowels and consonants cannot be heard anymore. This results in an incomplete understanding of speech: Hearing loss often affects the consonants P, K, F, H, and all T, Sh, S, and Z sounds.
The following example shows how a simple sentence is understood with varying degrees of hearing loss:
With a hearing loss, everyday life becomes increasingly more difficult. A hearing loss can often result in tiredness and fatigue, headaches, vertigo and an increased susceptibility to stress.
Since hearing loss often limits the understanding of speech very soon, conversations with loved ones, meetings, listening to music or watching TV can be particularly challenging. In many cases, people with hearing loss will withdraw from social life and become isolated.
Studies have shown that people with hearing loss who do not use hearing aids experience sadness, fear and anxiety more often than hearing aid users, who experience a dramatically increased quality of life as soon as they start using a hearing aid. They maintain better family relationships, have more self-confidence and experience more independence and security.
Conductive hearing losses (most outer ear problems) can usually be treated medically or with surgery. The most common type of hearing loss though, the sensorineural hearing loss, can only be treated with hearing aids.
Our questionnaire can help you determine whether you have a hearing problem. In general, we recommend the following procedure in order to get the correct treatment for a hearing loss:
See a hearing care professional (HCP) and
- exclude reasons like wax plugs or infections
- assess your individual hearing loss
- define your individual need
In most cases of hearing loss, hearing aids are an excellent solution.
Our guide to your hearing aid and your HCP will help you to find the right model for you.
