Communication disorders constitute the greatest number of handicapping disabilities in the United States.  More people suffer from hearing, speech and language impairment than heart disease, paralysis, epilepsy, blindness, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis combined.  Conservatively, hearing loss affects 20 million Americans significantly.

 The ear anatomically is divided into three parts:  outer ear, middle ear and inner ear.  The outer ear captures the sound and directs it through the ear canal to the tympanic membrane (ear drum).  The tympanic membrane vibrates and transmits the sound to the middle ear bones, which in turn, pass these vibrations to the inner ear.  In the inner ear, sound is converted into an electrical message that is sent to the brain where it is interpreted.

 Hearing loss is divided into two general categories: nerve hearing loss and conductive hearing loss.  Nerve hearing loss is the result of damage or deterioration of the inner ear or the nerve going to the brain.  A conductive hearing loss is the result of sound not being transmitted from the environment to the inner ear.  Examples include blockage to the ear canal, abnormalities to the tympanic membrane, fluid in the middle ear or problems with the middle ear bones. 

 In nerve hearing loss, the damage to the inner ear may take place before birth, during delivery or later in life.  There are maternal infections which can cause hearing loss such as measles, when in the first trimester.  Nerve hearing loss may be hereditary and multiple family members may have a genetic defect resulting in the impairment.  By far, the most common type of nerve hearing loss is acquired later in life.  Examples include occupational or noise-induced trauma or presbycusis.  Presbycusis is the loss of hearing associated with aging.

 The main treatment for nerve hearing loss is the use of hearing aids. In some cases of profound hearing loss implantable hearing aids or cochlear implants are appropriate.

 Conductive hearing loss frequently can be corrected by surgical treatment.  Treatment may be as simple as removing obstructing ear wax from the ear canal.  Children may experience a conductive hearing loss from persistent fluid in the middle ear and placement of tubes will often return hearing to normal.   The ear drum may be damaged from trauma or recurrent ear infections.  The ear drum can be repaired surgically to fix perforations or holes to improve the hearing.  The middle ear bones may not function properly from previous scarring or over growth of bone. This inhibits the ear bones to move and reduces the hearing.  There are several surgical options to repair or replace the bones and improve the hearing.

Hearing loss is common and there many options to improve it and improve one’s quality of life.  If there is a question about one’s hearing, seek evaluation by an Audiologist and an Ear, Nose and Throat Physician.