Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss isn’t the same for everyone. The type of hearing loss determines how sound is affected, which part of the ear is involved, and what treatment options are best. At Al Barakat Hearing Centers, our audiologists in all regions of Kingdom Saudi Arabia carefully diagnose the type and degree of hearing loss through advanced hearing tests. This helps us recommend the most suitable hearing solutions whether it’s medical treatment, hearing rehabilitation, or advanced hearing aids from Signia and Rexton.
At Al Barakat Hearing Centers, our audiologists across Saudi Arabia carefully diagnose the degree of loss using advanced hearing tests. This allows us to recommend solutions including medical treatment, hearing rehabilitation, and advanced hearing aids from Signia and Rexton.
1. Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss happens when sound waves cannot travel efficiently through the outer or middle ear. This means that sound is blocked or weakened before it reaches the inner ear (cochlea).
Where It Occurs
- • Outer Ear: Problems in the ear canal or eardrum
- • Middle Ear: Issues with the eardrum, ossicles (tiny bones), or fluid buildup
Common Causes
- • Earwax blockage (cerumen impaction)
- • Ear infections (otitis media)
- • Fluid behind the eardrum
- • Eardrum perforation (hole in the eardrum)
- • Otosclerosis (stiffening of the middle ear bones)
- • Foreign object in the ear canal
Symptoms
- • Sounds seem muffled or faint
- • You can hear better in one ear than the other
- • Your own voice sounds louder (autophony)
- • Ears feel blocked or full
- • Often accompanied by ear pain or pressure
Diagnosis
- • Otoscopy (visual ear inspection)
- • Tympanometry (measures eardrum movement)
- • Audiogram (hearing test to measure air and bone conduction)
Treatment Options
Many cases are temporary or reversible. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- • Medical management: antibiotics or ear cleaning
- • Minor procedures: to drain fluid or repair the eardrum
- • Hearing aids: for chronic or residual hearing loss (Signia and Rexton aids)
2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common and permanent form. It occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve, affecting sound clarity.
Where It Occurs
- • Inner Ear: Damage to tiny hair cells inside the cochlea
- • Auditory Nerve: Disruption in signal transmission to the brain
Common Causes
- • Aging (presbycusis)
- • Noise exposure (loud music, machinery, explosions)
- • Genetic or congenital factors
- • Head injury or trauma
- • Ototoxic medications (certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs)
- • Viral or bacterial infections (e.g., meningitis)
- • Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL)
Symptoms
- • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in background noise
- • People seem to mumble
- • Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds (like birds or children’s voices)
- • Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or roaring sounds)
- • Difficulty talking on the phone
Diagnosis
- • Pure-tone audiometry
- • Speech recognition testing
- • Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) for infants
Treatment Options
- • Digital hearing aids to amplify and clarify sounds
- • Tinnitus management programs
- • Cochlear implants for profound loss
The Al Barakat Advantage: We recommend advanced Signia and Rexton hearing aids with latest sound processing technology, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic adaptation to listening environments, directional technology, and tinnitus masking features.
3. Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Sound is both blocked or reduced in the outer/middle ear and improperly transmitted in the inner ear or auditory nerve.
Common Causes
- • Long-term untreated ear infections leading to nerve damage
- • Ear trauma or head injury
- • Genetic hearing conditions combined with middle ear issues
- • Otosclerosis (middle ear bone stiffening extending to inner ear)
- • Aging combined with conductive blockages (wax or fluid)
Symptoms
- • Difficulty hearing both soft and loud sounds
- • Poor sound clarity even after volume is increased
- • Feeling that speech is unclear or distorted
- • Persistent tinnitus or ear pressure
Diagnosis & Treatment
Full audiological evaluation including audiogram, tympanometry, speech recognition testing, and bone conduction studies is required. Treatment addresses both components:
- • Medical or surgical treatment for the conductive part
- • Hearing aids or cochlear implants for the sensorineural part (Signia & Rexton multi-channel digital aids)
4. Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)
(Less common but important to mention for professionals and families)
What It Is
Auditory neuropathy occurs when the inner ear detects sound, but the auditory nerve fails to send the signals properly to the brain. This causes sound distortion and poor speech understanding, especially in noisy environments.
Causes
- • Premature birth or neonatal jaundice
- • Lack of oxygen during birth
- • Genetic factors
- • Neurological conditions
Symptoms
- • Normal hearing test results but poor speech clarity
- • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in background noise
- • Inconsistent hearing responses
Management
Treatment includes:
- • Specialized hearing aids
- • Cochlear implants for severe cases
- • Auditory training and speech therapy
Why It’s Important to Know Your Hearing Loss Type
Expert Diagnosis for Better Hearing
Our specialists perform Pure-tone audiometry, Speech testing, and OAE for infants to ensure a perfect diagnosis.