Types of deafness

There are two main types, conductive and sensori-neural (nerve deafness), but a person may also experience both types.

Conductive deafness – results from a malfunction or abnormality which prevents or reduces the conduction of sound waves through the outer or middle ear to the oval window of the inner ear.  Some examples of this are:

• Impacted Wax
• Foreign body
• Infection
• Trauma and injuries
• Anatomical abnormalities
• Otitis media (glue ear)

Sensori-neural deafness – damage or disease of the inner ear preventing, reducing or distorting the sounds reaching the auditory cortex.

This can happen in:

• The cochlea
• The auditory nerve
• The auditory pathway
• The hearing centres of the brain

The most common cause of sensori-neural hearing loss is maturity (age related hearing loss is called presbyacusis).

Degrees of deafness and other terms

Deafness (or hearing loss) is described as mild, moderate, severe or profound.  It usually includes decreased ability to locate where sounds are coming from or how near they are.

Some people prefer to call themselves deaf, others hard of hearing, partially hearing, even hearing impaired. 

Deaf/deaf convention
 
“Deaf” means someone who is culturally deaf, belongs to the Deaf world as apposed to the hearing world and who uses Sign Language as their preferred language
“deaf” means a hard of hearing person who has acquired hearing loss, who use speech and may lipread.  These people are generally not culturally Deaf.

Other conditions associated with the ears

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the subjective sensation of noise, without any outside cause.  It may manifest in the ears or the head and commonly people may ‘hear’ whistling, buzzing, ringing and hissing sounds.
Tinnitus can be constant or intermittent and is often associated with hearing loss but people without hearing loss may also have tinnitus.

There are treatments available from hearing therapists for tinnitus including cognitive therapy (helping the patient to understand the causes and harmless nature of their tinnitus, helping to challenge and turn around the patients possible pessimistic beliefs), counselling and prosthetic management (tinnitus maskers and hearing aids).    

Balance Problems

The balance section of the ear (found in the inner ear), are the semicircular canals and are part of the vestibular system.  When the vestibular mechanisms become damaged or diseased, a common symptom called vertigo may occur.
 
Patients experience whirling or spinning and feel truly unwell, a Doctor should always be consulted.