One in six Australians are affected by hearing loss, and projections have shown that by 2050 one in every four Australians may suffer from some form of hearing loss.
Hearing loss can be caused by many factors including aging, illness, genetics, chemicals or physical trauma. In Australia the most significant cause of hearing loss is exposure to excessive noise.
There are preventive measures that you can implement to avoid hearing loss. These include the avoidance of exposure to excessive noise, physical trauma, and chemical agents. Unfortunately due to illness, disease, or genetics, it is impossible to prevent or reverse hearing loss in some cases.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Hearing Loss?
Testing is undertaken by an Audiologist to determine the severity of hearing loss, with results being expressed in decibel readings.
Hearing loss test results can be interpreted as follows:
- Mild hearing loss: A loss of between 20 and 40 decibels.
- Moderate hearing loss: A loss of between 41 and 54 decibels.
- Moderately severe: A loss of between 55 and 70 decibels.
- Severe: A loss of between 71 and 90 decibels.
- Profound: A loss of 91 decibels or greater.
- Totally Deaf: To have no hearing at all.
There is considered to be three types of hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss: When a loss of hearing is due to problems with the ear canal or ear drum, or the middle ear and the small bones contained within.
Sensorineural hearing loss: When a hearing loss is due to problems of the inner ear (cochlea).
Mixed hearing loss: A mix of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss, meaning that there may possibly be damage to the outer or middle ear, and to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
How to Treat Hearing Loss.
Treatment of hearing loss depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Options available include ear drops for minor or temporary afflictions, hearing aids and cochlear implants for more serious conditions and auditory brainstem implants in some cases of extreme hearing loss.
An Audiologist or ENT specialist can make diagnosis or Hearing Loss and assist with its treatment.
Visit www.doctors.com.au to locate an Audiologist or ENT specialist near you.