The ear is made up of three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. These three parts work together to capture sound waves and transform them into signals our brains can recognize. Each main part of the ear has distinct functions in the overall process of how we hear, which is why it’s imperative to take care of your ear health.
Hearing loss can happen to anyone. It results in a reduced ability to hear with some risk factors include: older age, genetics, noise exposure, ear diseases. In Australia it is estimated that approximately about 3.6 million people have some level of hearing loss. With noise exposure one of the biggest preventable cause of hearing loss.
The most common type of hearing classification is known as sensorineural hearing loss. It’s a permanent hearing loss that occurs when there is damage to either the cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve itself. More prevalent with noise exposure and older age.
This occurs when there is an obstruction or damage to the outer or middle ear. This prevents sound from being conducted to the inner ear. It may be permanent or temporary, depending on the exact cause.
Mixed hearing loss is exactly what the name suggests: a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. It commonly occurs when there has been damage over time in addition to some sort of trauma to the ear.
Dementia risk up to 5x higher with hearing loss.
Hearing loss is 2x more common in people with diabetes.
Hearing loss may indicate cardiovascular disease.
Increased risk of loneliness an isolation with untreated hearing loss.
Ring in the ears, 90% of people with tinnitus also have hearing loss.
Symptoms go down and quality of life goes up with hearing aid use.
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