Coping With Hearing Loss
Table of Contents
How the Ears Work
What Causes Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss and Quality of Life
How Are Dizziness and Vertigo Related
How Hearing Loss Affects You Professionally
Who Is At Risk for Hearing Loss
Identifying Hearing Loss in Children
What Is Otitis
Hearing Loss and Speech in Children
What Are Cochlear Implants
Is Sign Language an Option for You?
Overcoming Emotional Problems
Hearing in the Classroom
About Hearing Aids
Breakthroughs
How the Ears Work
Your ear is divided into three major
components: the inner ear, the middle ear, and the outer ear. The outer ear is
what is physically seen in our bodies. The ear canal is the path where the sound
waves pass through. It is also seen from the outside. The ear canal acts like a
funnel catching the sound waves and lead them to the eardrum.
The middle ear is where the eardrum is located.
It is actually a small space inside the ear filled with air. In the middle ear,
there are three tiny bones. Collectively, they are called the ossicles.
Individually, there are the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup. From the outer
ear, sound is directed to the eardrum. Now on the eardrum, these bones move in
tune with the sound that passes on the vibration toward a much smaller part of
the ear, the cochlea.
The cochlea is already part of the inner ear.
It has fluid in it, which, in turn, moves the hairs on the outside of the cells.
Several of these hair cells create an electrical impulse that is send with the
auditory nerve directly to the brain. The brain then processes the information
and you are able to hear the sounds. All these processes are done in a matter of
microseconds.
If one or more of these processes fail, then
you get hearing loss. In general, there are three types of hearing loss. These
are the conductive hearing loss, the sensor neural hearing loss, and the mixed
hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is a disorder if either
the outer ear or the middle ear prevents the sound from getting into the inner
part of the ear. If you have this problem, the sounds you hear are faint and
distorted. This is mainly due to ear canal infection, wax build-up or the
presence of a foreign object in the ear canal.
Sensor neural hearing loss happens if the
nerves in the inner ear become damaged. They cannot transmit the signals to the
brain. People with this illness say that they hear speech as mumbles or they are
able to hear that you are saying something but can't understand it at all. This
is common to old people. Other than age, the factors that contribute to this
type of hearing loss are injury, diabetes, meningitis, or even heredity, among
others.
Mixed hearing loss comes about when these two
are combined. This means the patient has problems with all the components of the
ear. He has acquired both conductive and sensor neural hearing loss.
Hearing tests are conducted with an individual
that is believed to have hearing problems. In a hearing test, the attending
physician will be able to determine the degree of hearing loss one has. It also
determines if only one ear has a problem or both. The doctor will also know
exactly where the problem lies, if it is in the inner ear, the outer ear, or the
middle ear, so that it can be treated as necessary.
The graphs of the audiogram, which is the chart
where the hearing test results are recorded, would also show the loudness and
the pitch that the person can hear, in contrast to what he can't. It will show
the sound frequencies that you hear the best and the frequencies you hear the
worst.
If you think you have hearing problems, consult
with an audiologist right away, so that the problem be corrected quickly. The
audiologist is an ear expert, and they can attend to your problem and address
your health questions accordingly. You just have to make an appointment with
their office.
The ears are such an important part of the
body. Take care of your hearing accordingly. Do everything that you can to
preserve the way it works.
Losing your sense of hearing is unthinkable.
You will miss a lot of things around you. You won't be able to appreciate good
music. You won't be able to communicate with other people even. The ears have
such an important role in our body. Do not take your hearing for granted,
especially as you grow old.
To be continued
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