{"id":2170,"date":"2024-03-22T13:58:23","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T19:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/?p=2170"},"modified":"2024-03-22T13:58:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T19:58:54","slug":"what-are-the-stages-of-hearing-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/what-are-the-stages-of-hearing-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are the Stages of Hearing Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/hearing-loss\/testing\/\">Hearing loss <\/a>arises when the inner ear or portions of the inner ear fail to function correctly. The causes are varied, ranging from damage caused by exposure to loud noises or age-related decline.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nidcd.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/quick-statistics-hearing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In the U.S., about 15% of the adult population reports experiencing some level of hearing trouble.<\/a> With an understanding that some hearing loss can be prevented, knowledge becomes a powerful tool in taking preventative measures to maintain auditory health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exploring Types of Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"836\" src=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Man-with-hearing-loss-holds-ear.jpg\" alt=\"Man with hearing loss holds hand behind ear\" class=\"wp-image-2173\" style=\"width:532px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Man-with-hearing-loss-holds-ear.jpg 1254w, https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Man-with-hearing-loss-holds-ear-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are three fundamental types of hearing loss. Each requires a different treatment route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hearing Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conductive Hearing Loss: Originating from problems in the outer or middle ear, this type is often treatable with medications or surgery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sensorineural Hearing Loss: This arises within the inner ear or in the nerve pathways to the brain. SNHL is often permanent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mixed Hearing Loss: A blend of conductive and sensorineural loss. Depending on how the hearing loss originates, it may be treatable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing loss spans a spectrum from mild to profound and pinpointing where one falls on this spectrum is key to tailoring treatment. It\u2019s recommended to see a hearing specialist, even with mild hearing loss, as approaches can be taken to preserve remaining hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Deciphering Degrees of Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The spectrum of hearing loss is divided into levels according to the faintest sounds one can hear, measured in decibels (dB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stages Include<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mild Hearing Loss 25 to 40 dB: Subtle sounds may be missed, making it hard to catch words against background noise, like your barista repeating your order at Betterday Coffee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moderate Hearing Loss 41 to 55 dB: Normal conversation levels become challenging, with hearing aids often recommended for clarity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moderately Severe Hearing Loss 56 to 70 dB: Higher volume sounds may go unheard, greatly affecting one&#8217;s ability to participate in conversations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Severe Hearing Loss 71 to 90 dB: Most sounds remain undetected without powerful hearing amplification devices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Profound Hearing Loss 91 dB or higher: Very strong hearing aids or cochlear implants are needed to hear sounds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Individuals with severe to profound hearing loss might depend more on visual forms of communication like lip-reading or sign language in the absence of hearing aids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing loss can affect one ear (unilateral) or both (bilateral), potentially with varying degrees between the ears. It can develop slowly over time or hit suddenly. If you experience sudden hearing loss, contact a doctor as treatment can be provided to prevent permanent hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you or a loved one are experiencing any form of hearing loss, consult a hearing specialist. A hearing specialist can conduct a hearing test and recommend appropriate<a href=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/hearing-loss\/\"> treatment solutions<\/a> that work to protect your remaining hearing and prevent social isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For further information about hearing loss or to schedule a hearing evaluation, get in touch with Southwestern Hearing &#038; Balance to schedule an appointment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><ul class=\"related-posts\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/how-do-seasonal-changes-affect-your-hearing-aids\/\" class=\"related-post\">How Do Seasonal Changes Affect Your Hearing Aids?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/why-hearing-protection-is-crucial-even-after-hearing-loss\/\" class=\"related-post\">Why Hearing Protection Is Crucial, Even After Hearing Loss<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/safe-driving-with-hearing-loss-tips-and-precautions\/\" class=\"related-post\">Safe Driving with Hearing Loss: Tips and Precautions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hearing loss arises when the inner ear or portions of the inner ear fail to function correctly. The causes are varied, ranging from damage caused by exposure to loud noises or age-related decline.&nbsp; In the U.S., about 15% of the adult population reports experiencing some level of hearing trouble. With an understanding that some hearing&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2173,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hearing-aids","category-hearing-loss"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2170"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hearsantafe.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}