Hearing Loss

Hearing begins when the outer ear, the visible portion of the ear that is on the outside of the head, channels sound waves down the auditory canal. This tube-like passageway is lined with tiny hairs and small glands that produce ear wax.

The middle ear lies at the end of the auditory canal. It is composed of the eardrum and three small bones, known by the layman as the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup. When sound waves hit the eardrum, it vibrates and, in turn, moves the hammer. The hammer moves the anvil, which moves the stirrup, transmitting the vibrations into the inner ear. The middle ear functions to amplify sound, which is why significant hearing loss can result from any disruption in any of the parts.

The inner ear consists of the cochlea and the nerve of hearing. It converts sound waves into nerve impulses that travel to the brain via the movement of tiny hair cells. The brain, in turn, allows us to hear, as long as the message it is receiving is not distorted due to problems in the process just described.

Consider these statistics reported by Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D., former Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute:

• 1 out of 3 people at age 65 has a hearing loss
• 50 million Americans experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• About 2-3 of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable hearing loss in one or both ears
• More than 30 million Americans experience dangerous noise levels at work

In addition, studies have linked untreated hearing loss to emotional, physical, mental, psychological and even economic disadvantages! And, to make matters even worse, there are many “myths” about hearing loss that prevent those with hearing loss from doing anything about it.

Types and Treatments of Hearing Loss

Treatment of hearing loss depends upon the type of loss. There are four types of hearing loss: