Hearing Loss Explained
Hearing loss is a condition that can affect anyone, but it is more prevalent in adults over the age of 60. Symptoms may include tinnitus, vertigo, or pain in the ears. There are 2 main types of hearing loss sensorineural, conductive that are most common.
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Sensory Neural Hearing Loss
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Sensorineural hearing loss affects both ears or one and is caused by decreased function of the cochlea. Hair cells which line the cochlea detect sound vibrations and convert them to signals that are sent via the auditory nerve and then on to the brain. If these hair cells are damaged or die, fewer signals reach the brain, resulting in the brain receiving less stimulus which can affect a persons ability to hear clearly. Aging, illness, repeated exposure to loud noise, and certain medications are some of the causes of sensory neural hearing loss.
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Conductive Hearing Loss
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Conductive hearing loss is caused by changes to the middle ear, ear drum and the ear canal, which can interrupt the flow of sound to the cochlea, resulting in poor hearing. Ear infections, occluded ear wax, Eustachian tube dysfunction and Otosclerosis are just some of the conditions which affect the middle ear resulting in potential conductive hearing loss.
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Untreated hearing loss has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. While the exact reason for this link is still unclear, researchers suggest that hearing loss can lead to social isolation and loneliness, which are known risk factors for Alzheimer's and dementia. Additionally, hearing loss can shift the way the brain processes sound, which may contribute to cognitive decline.
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