Coping With Hearing Loss

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.