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Hearing Loss

​​​​​​​​​​Hearing loss happens when any part of the ear or auditory (hearing) system is not functioning in the usual way.

Hearing Loss
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Our ear is made up of three parts:
  1. ​Outer ear, consisting of the Pinna and the Ear Canal, and is sepa​rated from the middle ear by the Eardrum
  2. Middle ear, consisting of the Ossicles
  3. Inner ear, consisting of the Cochlea and the Vestibular System which contains the Semicircular Canals

​All three parts work together to help us to hear sounds. When there is a problem with one or more of these parts, hearing loss occurs and it can affect people of all ages.​

A hearing test can be done to determine your hearing levels. The results will be plotted on a chart called an audiogram. If there is a hearing loss, you may have difficult​y hearing speech well.​​

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There are three types of hearing losses:

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is an issue with the outer and/or middle ear. Examples include a blockage in the ear canal, a hole in the ear drum or an ear infection.

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is an issue with the inner ear. There could be damage to the sensory cells in the cochlea, or the hearing nerve.

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.


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Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include:

  • Frequently asking others to repeat themselves
  • Frequently asking others to speak louder
  • Speech sounding muffled
  • Increasing the volume of the television or radio
  • Difficulty following conversations or phone conversations
  • Difficulty hearing in noisy places
  • Speaking louder than usual
  • Ringing in the ears
​Possible causes of hearing loss include:
  • Ageing
  • Certain medications
  • Ear infections
  • Ear wax
  • Hole in the ear drum
  • Loud noise exposure
  • Tumour of the hearing nerve

Hearing loss is associated with​:
  • Cognitive decline
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Social isolation
Management options depend on the cause, type and severity of hearing loss.

Management options of h​earing loss include:​ ​
  • Hearing aids
  • Surgery (e.g. ear drum repair, middle ear operations, implants)
  • Aural rehabilitation
Contributed​ by:
  • Department of Otolaryngology (ENT)
  • ​Audiology​, Allied Health Services