When something prevents the sound wave vibrations entering the inner ear it is called a conductive loss – the sound wave conduction is hindered. Generally this type of hearing loss is medically correctable
Causes:
When the hearing cells in the cochlea cannot pick up or transmit information to the brain it is called a sensorineural loss. This type of hearing loss is most often permanent. Some causes are listed below:
Congenital
Acquired
This results when there is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss present.
Is hearing loss due to the ageing process. A progressive loss of the inner ear hearing cells – perhaps 2% each year? It effects the high frequency noises first (a ‘ski-slope’ audiogram) becoming noticeable around age 60-65. It begins very slowly and can vary from mild to severe. Onset age and degree of loss vary a great deal.
Speech discrimination is often worse than would be expected from the degree of loss. This is because of ‘recruitment’ – the threshold of hearing and the uncomfortable level of sound are abnormally close. Hence you may hear “speak up I can’t hear you …… don’t shout so loud!” Discrimination may also be effected, “I can hear you but I can’t hear what you are saying”. shouting makes the problem worse. Often folk with presbycusis will use the phrase ” their speech is muffled” when talking about the grandchildren, TV characters, meeting group participants etc.