niagarahearinghealth

Types of Hearing Loss

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:58:38 GMT

Hearing losses can be categorized into three different types: Sensorineural, Conductive and Mixed Loss.

To properly understand your hearing loss, it is first important to understand how you hear. There are three major parts to the ear: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.

All sound is vibration. Sound waves travel through the outer ear, causing the ear drum to vibrate. Vibration of the ear drum set the three bones of the middle ear system (malleus, incus and stapes) into motion, which amplify this vibration to stimulate the tiny hair cells within the inner ear (cochlea) which ultimately translate this vibration into electrical signals to be transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve. Your brain is where these signals are turned into sound and when the brain is not receiving this input, it is referred to as ‘auditory deprivation’.

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in adults. It occurs when there is damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. These hair cells are called stereocilia and can be damaged through exposure to noise, exposure to ototoxic chemicals or drugs, genetic factors or can deteriorate over time. Regardless of the cause, damage to these hair cells will ultimately result in a hearing loss. Hearing loss due to aging is often referred to as presbycusis. Sensorineural hearing loss usually occurs gradually, and one may not notice a hearing loss until it is in the moderate or moderately-severe range of hearing loss. Some early signs of sensorineural hearing loss include:

Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
Difficulty hearing women and children
The feeling that people are ‘mumbling’
Hearing people speak but not understanding what they’re saying
Ringing in the ears

Sensorineural hearing loss is treated with the use of hearing aids, or in severe to profound cases, a cochlear implant.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass through the outer or middle ear to the inner ear. In a conductive hearing loss, the hearing at the level of the nerve (inner ear), is within the normal range. Causes of conductive hearing loss include wax buildup in the ear canal (outer ear), foreign object obstruction of the ear drum, perforation of the ear drum, fluid buildup in the middle ear system, otosclerosis, narrowing of the ear canal, tumour of the middle ear, injury resulting in damage to outer or middle ear, deformation of outer or middle ear. Otosclerosis is a condition causing fixation of the stapes due to abnormal bone growth. Ultimately, this disrupts the ability of the middle ear system to transmit sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. As you can see, there are many different causes which can results in conductive hearing loss. The most common symptom of conductive hearing loss is muffled hearing, or the feeling that you are hearing under water. A conductive hearing loss may be able to be alleviated with medical or surgical intervention.

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of a sensorineural and a conductive hearing loss. It is important to determine the type of hearing loss you’re experiencing to determine the best course of treatment for you.

At Niagara Hearing & Health, we have the tools to diagnose your hearing loss and recommend what is best for you.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Tue, 02 May 2023 19:00:29 GMT

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss IS a Medical Emergency

Sensorineural hearing loss is a hearing loss at the level of the inner ear; typically caused by damage to the hair cells within the inner ear. A sudden sensorineural hearing loss, or sudden deafness, is characterized as a rapid loss of hearing (typically only in one ear), either all at once or over the course of a few days. Though it is thought to be rare, sudden sensorineural hearing loss occurs in approximately one to six in every 5,000 adults annually (there are cases of sudden deafness in children as well).

People who experience sudden deafness may or may not have accompanying symptoms. Such accompanying symptoms may include pressure in the affected ear, dizziness and/or ringing in the ear and distortion of sound in the affected ear. It is very common for people with this type of hearing loss to disregard it, associating it with a history of sinus infections or wax buildup in the ear. This leads to a delayed diagnosis and inability to effectively treat the condition.

Causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss are widely unknown, however, it is thought to be caused by infections of the inner ear, though some cases have been linked to ototoxic chemicals and auto-immune diseases. It is very important to seek treatment immediately, as research suggests proper treatment within 72 hours of hearing loss onset is more likely to result in partial or full recovery of hearing. It is also important to rule out more serious conditions such as stroke, or a tumor on the auditory nerve.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss with no unknown cause is typically treated with corticosteroids, which work by reducing inflammation, decreasing swelling, and fighting illness. Oral steroids and trans-tympanic (through the eardrum) injections have been proven to be effective in restoring hearing for people who experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Early identification is key in successfully treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and a full hearing assessment is essential in diagnosing such a hearing loss.

Our clinicians at Niagara Hearing & Health are here to help you. If you think you have experienced a sudden sensorineural hearing loss, act fast! Do not hesitate to contact our office to schedule a hearing assessment and be sure to mention you think you may be experiencing a sudden loss of hearing.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:55:15 GMT

"Noise exposure doesn’t just happen in the workplace. It is becoming more common for people to experience noise induced hearing loss from recreational activities such as shooting, boating, snowmobiling, sporting events, concerts, bars, and movie theatres"

Noise-Induced hearing loss is a permanent and irreversible hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noise. This type of hearing loss can be the effect of a one-time exposure to an extremely loud blast or impulse noise (such as a gun shot, explosives, tire blowing etc.), or from moderately loud sounds over an extended period. Though the risks of hearing loss from noise exposure is a complex issue, the most important thing to know is noise induced hearing loss is preventable with the right awareness and protective measures.

Many people work in exceptionally noisy environments and have a hearing loss as a result. If this is your experience, you may be entitled to hearing aid benefits through the Workman’s Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario. Employers must follow regulations set out by the Occupational Health and Safety Act to help prevent noise-induced hearing loss at the workplace. Oftentimes, these measures were put into place too late, or lack of adherence leads to workers ultimately experiencing noise-induced hearing loss. If you think this may be the case for you, do not hesitate to book an appointment at Niagara Hearing & Health and our skilled clinicians can help determine if you are a candidate for a noise induced hearing loss claim. Alternatively, if you work in a noisy environment and you are interested in prevention, contact our clinic to discuss custom noise protection. You may even be surprised to learn that many employers will cover the cost of custom noise plugs.

Noise exposure doesn’t just happen in the workplace. It is becoming more common for people to experience noise induced hearing loss from recreational activities such as shooting, boating, snowmobiling, sporting events, concerts, bars, and movie theatres. Even fitness centres are known to blast music as loud as 120 decibels! As a reference, the Occupational Health and Safety Act defines hazardous exposure to noise as 90 dB for 8 hours of exposure; as the noise levels increase by just 5 dB, the recommended exposure time is cut in HALF. So, if noise levels are 95 dB, exposure should not be longer than 4 hours, and if noise levels are 100 dB, exposure should not be longer than 2 hours (I think you get the picture). One can deduce the amount of time you should be listening to sounds at 120 dB, which some personal listening devices can produce. It is common for children nowadays to use headphones with their electronic devices, so it is very important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the noise levels they are being exposed to. If you are worried about the levels of noise you or your children are being exposed to, now is the time to book a hearing assessment!

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:25:00 GMT

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the auditory cortex, which is the region of the brain responsible for interpreting auditory information.

People diagnosed with APD typically have normal hearing, however, they have difficulty processing the information they hear. What this means is the brain receives a ‘mixed up’ message even though information was presented loud and clear. Auditory Processing Disorder affects both children and adults, though many adults will have lived through their childhood undiagnosed. These adults may have struggled silently their entire childhood. Increased awareness and education around APD now are promising for the younger generation as there are many effective treatments and strategies available to help.

Some common signs and symptoms of APD to be aware of are:

- Difficulty following conversation, especially in noisy situations

- High distractibility by even moderate sounds (i.e.: clocks ticking, chairs moving)

- Difficulty maintaining attention during class, lectures, etc.

- Difficulty following verbally presented directions (especially multi-step directions)

- Difficulty recalling and summarizing information presented verbally

- Performing below grade level in areas of reading, spelling and writing

- Delayed reaction to figurative language when presented verbally (i.e.: doesn’t ‘get jokes’)

- Talk louder or softer than necessary

Many parents may read this list of symptoms and think ‘my child must have APD’. Keep in mind, these disorders are quite rare, and can only be diagnosed by an audiologist who specializes in APD. After three school years full of uncertainty, closures, masks and virtual learning, more children than ever are exhibiting signs of inattention in the classroom. This does not mean they have APD, though some children who DO will inevitably fall through the cracks and be left untreated. It is more important than ever to have your child assessed if they are showing signs of APD.

Treatment of an auditory processing disorder depends on the needs of the child or adult diagnosed and typically involves a team of professionals for support. This team usually consists of an audiologist, speech language pathologist, teacher, parents, and a counselor. Depending on the severity of the disorder, treatment approaches will vary.

At Niagara Hearing and Health, our audiologist specializes in testing for and treating auditory processing disorders and our clinicians are here to help every step of the way. The first step to better comprehension is booking an assessment!

Hearing Loss and Dementia

info@niagarahearingandhealth.com (Seneka Caruso) — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 19:21:14 GMT

We all know both dementia and hearing loss are highly prevalent conditions in the aging population.

What many people don’t know is the two conditions are highly correlated with one another and that hearing loss is identified as one of the top risk factors for dementia¹.

Current research is investigating this relationship and several possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain how hearing loss increases the risk of developing dementia. One explanation is that hearing loss increases ‘brain strain’, meaning that when one struggles to hear, the brain works harder to fill in the gaps at the expense of other cognitive processes such as working memory. Another possible explanation is that hearing loss causes people to disengage socially which in turn leads to less intellectual stimulation, and therefore less cognitive engagement overall. Both theories support the hypothesis that reduced cognitive stimulation leads to mental decline. Given the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments on symptoms of dementia, we must focus on reducing the modifiable risk factors to delay or prevent the onset of the disease, which will also reduce healthcare costs overall.

A 2020 Lancet Commissions Report cited 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia; they are:

- Lower education

- Hypertension

- Hearing impairment

- Smoking

- Obesity

- Depression

- Physical inactivity

- Low social contact

- Excessive alcohol consumption

- Traumatic brain injury

- Air pollution

Of these, hearing loss is the highest modifiable risk factor for delaying or preventing the onset of dementia later in life. A 2019 study of 194 adults over 19 years indicated through brain imaging of the temporal lobe (the area of the brain containing the auditory centre), that mid-life hearing impairment is associated with greater temporal lobe volume loss compared to individuals with normal hearing. It is very important to note that multiple studies have looked at cognitive performance in individuals with hearing impairment who wear hearing aids versus those who do not, and hearing loss is only associated with poorer cognition in individuals who DO NOT wear hearing aids. Hearing aid use is, therefore, the largest factor protecting individuals from cognitive decline. Even the World Health Organization has recognized hearing aids as the only modifier in mid-life to prevent or prolong the onset of dementia. Newer findings also suggest that hearing impairment may encompass other modifiable risk factors such as low social contact, physical inactivity and depression, highlighting the importance of hearing aids earlier in life.

At Niagara Hearing & Health, we perform a cognitive screening as part of our full hearing evaluation so we can provide patients with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding their hearing and cognitive health. With the help of the cognitive screening, we can work together to create the best action plan for each individual patient, since we recognize everyone is unique and has their own set of needs. These findings speak for themselves, wearing hearing aids is not only treating your hearing loss but also preventing cognitive decline associated with hearing loss. With life expectancy rising, it has never been so important to make your hearing a priority!

¹(Thompson et al., 2017)

Learn More About Tinnitus

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:58:11 GMT

Tinnitus is a constant or intermittent ringing in one or both of your ears. Almost everyone has experienced tinnitus at some point in their lives; however, for some, it is a persistent and often even debilitating issue. What people don’t often know is what causes tinnitus and what they can do to relieve their symptoms.

Causes of tinnitus:

Hearing Loss: Often, tinnitus is associated with a sensorineural hearing loss. In fact, 90% of people who present with a sensorineural hearing loss also report tinnitus. This type of hearing loss can be hereditary, age-related, trauma-induced or noise-induced. Hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus.
Infection: During active infection, or even following ear infections, fluid can persist in the middle ear causing a change in pressure in the middle ear space, which can result in tinnitus.
Blockage: Build up of ear wax or blockage by a foreign body entering the ear canal can cause tinnitus.
Injury or trauma to the head or neck: Typically, this type of damage will cause tinnitus in just one ear.
Medications: Certain medications have been known to induce tinnitus. Such medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, antidepressants and diuretics.

People often get the discouraging message that nothing can be done to relieve symptoms of tinnitus and they must get used to it. Though there is no ‘cure’ for tinnitus, there are a lot of great tools and treatments to reduce the perceived intensity of tinnitus.

An important first step is booking a hearing test with a qualified hearing care professional who specializes in identification and treatment of tinnitus. At Niagara Hearing & Health, we are members of the American Tinnitus Association and therefore specialize in the identification and management of tinnitus.

Brittany or Seneka will perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation including tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing in addition to the pure-tone air and bone conduction testing. Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures you are in great hands.

Once we have the information we need, we will discuss the best tinnitus management program for you to minimize the impact tinnitus has on your life. Sometimes the answer is wax removal, sometimes it is hearing aids; and other times it may be a more involved treatment plan. No two tinnitus cases are alike and therefore the best course of treatment is going to differ from patient to patient.

Successful tinnitus management programs require overlapping layers of treatment options. At Niagara Hearing & Health we are here to take the time and help you manage your tinnitus with individualized treatment plans.

- Brittany Mott Au.D., Reg. CASLPO