Locating & correcting hearing loss

Degrees of hearing loss can range from mild to profound. It can start with the fact that soft sounds such as the ticking of a wristwatch can hardly be heard - often unnoticed at first. For people with profould hearing loss, loud sounds such as the intense noise of a drill will only be perceived as vibrations. A hearing loss of up to 20 decibels (dB) is considered normal - anything above that is considered hard of hearing.

Mild hearing loss begins above 20 decibels (dB) and is in the range up to 40dB. Soft sounds such as birdsong are then hardly perceived.

Moderate hearing loss is in the range of 40 to 60 decibels (dB). People with this type of hearing loss find it difficult to follow conversations, especially with background noises such as music.

Severe hearing loss is in the range of 60 to 80 decibels (dB). People with this type of hearing loss turn up the volume on their TV set so high that it feels uncomfortable for people with normal hearing.

A profound hearing loss starts at 80 decibels (dB). People with such a hearing loss can only perceive some very loud sounds auditorily, even hearing a car honking is difficult.

Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss occurs when sound cannot bei either properly sensed, perceived or transmitted by the auditory system. There are three basic types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss: Sound waves are not transmitted properly from the outer or middle ear to the inner ear, the transmission of sound is impaired, it reaches the inner ear only to a reduced extent or not at all.

Sensorineural hearing loss: the sensory hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or missing, preventing the production of the correct nerve impulses needed by the brain to interpret sound or nerve impulses sent to the brain via the auditory nerve are not processed correctly.

Mixed hearing loss: a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, affecting both the inner ear as well as the middle and outer ear.

Where is the dysfunction?

In the outer ear

is, for example, a plug of earwax

The outer ear includes the pinna and the earlobe as well as the external auditory canal and is responsible for receiving sound. The eardrum forms the boundary between the outer and middle ear. Earwax plugs and inflammations caused by infections, for example, can here be the cause of malfunctions.

ENT doctors remove earwax plugs by rinsing the ears. They can prescribe ointments and ear drops to help reduce inflammation. To prevent long-term damage it is important to act quickly under these circumstances.

In the middle ear

the eardrum is, for example, perforated.

The middle ear is located between the outer and the inner ear and is designed to conduct sound. The middle ear contains the ossicles - hammer, anvil and stirrup - in the tympanic cavity. It is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum. Causes of functional disorders here can be, for example, inflammations and eardrum perforations.

A perforation is a hole in the eardrum which can be caused by middle ear infections, injuries and sudden changes in pressure, e.g. during diving, and can lead to anything from ear pain and slight bleeding to hearing loss, ringing in the ears and complete hearing loss. Most of the time the eardrum heals on its own, in some cases surgery may be required.

In the inner ear

the hair cells are damaged, for example

The inner ear consists of the cochlea and the organ of balance, it is found in the petrous bone and is responsible for converting sound into nerve impulses. Causes of functional disorders here can be, for example, noise, skull injuries, viral diseases or the natural ageing process.

The hair cells become damaged or worn with age and the transmission of nerve impulses to the auditory nerve is reduced or prevented. In the case of sensorineural hearing loss, there is currently no medication or surgical treatment available to improve hearing. However, the impairments can be compensated by using hearing aids.

Treating or compensating for hearing loss

Damage to the outer and middle ear (conductive hearing loss) can usually be treated with medication or surgery, but this is rarely possible for damage to the inner ear (sensorineural hearing loss). If medication and surgery do not help, the hearing loss can usually be compensated by a hearing aid.

The hearing technology landscape encompasses a large variety of aids and devices that will compensate for hearing impairment and significantly enhance your quality of life. The range includes aids that are worn behind or in the ear. In addition, devices with external receivers and so-called lyrics are available. Devices with external receivers are particularly small as the loudspeaker is placed directly in the auditory canal. Lyric is a special hearing aid that remains permanently in the ear canal for an average of 2 months and is therefore also not visible from the outside. Learn more about our hearing solutions.

We are happy to assist you!

Do you have hearing problems? Our specialist staff will help you to find the most suitable hearing solution for you. Do not hesitate to try out different hearing aids.

At Oberlin Hörpunkt, we are happy to assist you! Our specialist staff will provide expert advice to meet your specific requirements and will assist you in finding the solution that best suits your needs.