The Remarkable Ear

The ear is remarkable. Its parts work together in perfect harmony to convert sound waves to mechanical signals and then to electrical signals that your brain perceives as sound.

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How Hearing Works

Sound travels through the ear in three distinct phases. The brain interprets the sound waves as they travel through the ear.

 

Parts of the ear:

 
  • Outer ear - the visible outer part (the pinna) and the ear canal
  • Middle ear - includes the eardrum and three tiny bones (hammer, anvil, and stirrup), which as a connected component comprise the ossicles
  • Inner ear - the snail-shaped cochlea and the hearing nerve, as well as semicircular canals that help us with balance

 

Each of these components of the ear performs a critical function in transmitting sound. Natural hearing relies on the components functioning together. If there is a malfunction anywhere in these phases, hearing loss may be experienced.

Unfortunately, some individuals have ears that don’t function optimally. Hearing loss can affect one ear or both ears and can stem from various causes.

 

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Four Degrees of Loss

Moderate

Struggle to hear speech at a normal level.

 
Mild

Ability to hear parts of speech, but difficulty with softer sounds.

 
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Severe

Inability to hear most speech at normal levels; ability to hear loud sounds.

 
Profound

Inability to hear any normal speech; ability to only hear very loud sounds.

 

Types of Hearing Loss

Four types of hearing loss have been identified, and in most cases, each type is treatable.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

 

Nerve-related (sensorineural) hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It is caused when tiny hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or degraded, and don’t effectively transmit sound impulses to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss often occurs in aging adults, but can also be caused by genetics, head trauma or exposure to loud noise. Previously, patients with this type of hearing loss only had two options: hearing aids or cochlear implants.

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Conductive Hearing Loss

 

When the outer or middle ear malfunctions, limiting sound transmission, it results in conductive hearing loss. Common solutions for this condition include bone- anchored devices, surgically implanted osseointegrated devices or bone conduction surgery.

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Mixed Hearing Loss

 
 

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. It’s caused by malfunctions in both the inner and the outer or middle ear. Audiologists typically recommend taking care of the conductive (above) component first. However, we recommend consulting with a hearing professional for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Unique Diagnoses

 

In rare cases, none of the typical diagnoses apply, such as: Missing or severed hearing nerve, or Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, where sound enters the ear normally but damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve prevents the brain from organizing it in a way that can be understood.

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