Hearing loss – Types, symptoms, causes, and risks
While hearing loss is usually associated with aging, partial or total hearing loss can affect people of all ages if it occurs due to inner ear or nerve damage, among other causes. In fact, two-thirds of all people with hearing loss are aged below 65 years. In most people, using a hearing aid can help treat the issue, or it can be treated with surgery. This article is a basic overview of everything you need to know about hearing loss. Types of hearing loss Based on the part of the ear that is damaged, hearing loss can be categorized into three types: Sensorineural hearing The most common type of hearing loss, it makes up 90% of the total hearing loss cases. It is usually associated with causes like inner ear infections, congenital deformities, or head trauma. Conductive hearing This type of hearing loss occurs when there’s a buildup of earwax or one has a perforated or defective eardrum, and it is treatable in most cases. Mixed hearing loss This type of hearing loss is a combination of the first two types and is caused due to long-term ear infections that cause damage to the eardrum as well as the ossicles.
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