Hearing Health
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About hearing loss
Hearing loss is common as one ages, in addition, it is also common for people before the age of 60 to experience some form of hearing loss.
However do not confuse the symptoms or degree of hearing loss to the type of hearing loss that one is facing. The way in which hearing loss is categorised, depends largely on the part of the ear that is being affected. If you would like to read more about the common causes of hearing loss, and how your ear works, you can read about it more here.
There are 3 main types of hearing loss, as explained below
General Symptoms of Hearing Loss:
- Difficulty understanding words said by another person in close proximity against a noisy background
- Frequently askin others to repeat their words clearly and loudly
- Needing to turn up the volume of other audio outputs often (including your phone)
- Hearing sounds in muffled tones
- Hearing ringing or hissing sounds in your ears (could be continuous and varies in loudness. Can even affect your sleep if is severe)
The 3 Main Categories of Hearing Loss:
Conductive Hearing Loss (outer to middle)
- Hearing loss that is experienced due to something that is stuck in the outer ear that is preventing sound from even entering the middle ear. Can be caused by any pain or pressure in your ears that is caused by a sudden accident.
(Symptoms are similar to general symptoms of hearing loss, but it occurs at a faster rate)
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (inner ear)
- Hearing loss that is experienced due to problem in the inner ear ear and hearing nerve.
(You feel that your ear is stuffy and “full”, and you might end up feeling dizzy. Experiencing ringing is another symptom)
Mixed Hearing Loss
- Hearing loss that is experienced due to both issues in the outer to middle ear and inner ear.
This excludes auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, where some might categorise this under the fourth type of hearing loss or place this under a sub-category of sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss happens when sound can enter the ear normally, but because of the inner ear or hearing nerve damage, the electrical signals cannot be transferred to the brain in such a way that it can understand.
4 Degrees of Hearing Loss:
Mild
Soft sounds become hard to hear
Moderate
Hears almost no to little speech when a person is talking at a normal level
Severe
Hears no speech when a person is talking at a normal level and only hears some loud sounds
Profound
A person with this degree will not be able to hear any speech and is only able to pick up loud sounds
4 Degrees of Hearing Loss:
Mild
Soft sounds become hard to hear
Moderate
Hears almost no to little speech when a person is talking at a normal level
Profound
A person with this degree will not be able to hear any speech and is only able to pick up loud sounds
Severe
Hears no speech when a person is talking at a normal level and only hears some loud sounds
Other Ways to Describe Hearing Loss:
Unilateral or Bilateral
Hearing loss is one ear or both ears respectively
Progressive or Sudden
Progressive: hearing loss that worsens over time
Sudden: hearing loss that happens quickly over a short period of time
Pre-lingual or Post-lingual
Pre-lingual: Hearing loss that happened before a person learned to talk
Post-lingual: Hearing loss that happened after a person learned to talk
Symmetrical or Asymmetrical
Symmetrical: same hearing loss experienced in both ears
Asymmetrical: hearing loss that is experienced differently in each ear
Fluctuating or Stable
Fluctuating: hearing that gets better or worse over time
Stable: hearing that stays the same over a specific period of time
Congenital or Acquired/Delayed Onset
Congenital: hearing loss that was present at birth
Delayed: hearing loss that occurred later in life
Hearing Implants
Diverse kinds of implants for surgeries have been developed to assist people with hearing loss – such as middle ear implants and bone conduction implants. Bone conduction is used in cases if the person has tried using various devices like hearing aids, but was unable to make it work or had no benefit from it.
Cochlear implants are a treatment option for people with severe hearing loss. A surgeon will insert an electrode into the cochlea to directly stimulate the nerve endings.
Solutions to Hearing Loss
Surgery
Using a hearing aid
Antibiotics
(if prescribe accurately by a doctor)
Ear wax treatment
(if your outer ear is affected)
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are tools that detect and amplify the sound in your environment. They can be used to treat both conductive as well as sensorineural hearing loss, and they come in many shapes and sizes. The audiologist will work with you to find the best device for your situation.
Main Types of Prescription Hearing Aids In Singapore That We Offer
Receiver in cancal (RIC)(RIE)
Completely in canal (CIC)
Behind the ear (BTE)
In the canal (ITC)
Invisible in canal (IIC)
In the ear (ITE)
How do you know if you or your family is affected by hearing difficulties?
The truth is, many people don’t realize it for a long time and may deny it for as long as they can. This is due to the fact that hearing loss can be very gradual and happen over a period of years. Therefore, do not be surprised if you feel that you are unsure about your own or your family member’s hearing ability – we offer free, no-obligation hearing tests where you can speak to us if you have any concerns!
Common signs of hearing loss:
Other people are commenting that your TV, radio or music is too loud
Difficulty following conversations with 2 or more people
Confusion or difficulty focusing in noisy areas (restaurants, shopping malls, meetings etc)
Relying more on reading lips or watching people’s faces as they talk
Common, everyday background sounds seem muffled
Difficulty hearing women’s and children’s voices
Ringing sensation in one or both ears
Emotional Cues of Hearing Loss
You feel stressed out when listening to someone
You avoid social situations
You feel nervous or embarrassed about not being able to following conversations
You don’t enjoy being with people as much as you used to
Audiogram and Degrees of Hearing Loss
Pick any two people experiencing hearing loss, and chances are, their needs are very different. That’s because hearing loss is different for every individual, taking into account both sound frequencies and decibels. Your hearing isn’t so much a “percentage of loss” as it is an ability to hear a range of situations.
There are four general degrees of hearing loss:
Example of audiogram with stage of loss, phonemes and speech banana.
Mild (26 – 40 dB HL threshold)
With mild hearing loss, it’s most difficult to hear soft speech or distinguish sounds when there is background noise.
Moderate (41 – 70 dB HL threshold)
Moderate hearing loss makes it difficult to hear conversations, especially when there is a background noise. The TV or radio may need to be turned up to be heard clearly.
Severe (71 – 90 dB HL threshold)
With severe hearing loss, normal conversations are not audible. Loud speech may also be difficult to hear or understand. People with severe hearing loss are only able to hear when speech is amplified – by shouting, turning up volume, or with prescription hearing aids.
Profound (91 to 120 dB HL)
People with profound hearing loss may have difficulty understanding even amplified speech. Super power hearing aids, in the form of BTE is the best option for this stage of loss.
No Response ( at 120dB HL)
If the person cannot hear at 120dB, prescription hearing aids are no longer sufficient. Hearing implants are recommended instead.
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