Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are not conducted properly from the outer ear through to the middle ear. Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss Malformed outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear Fluid in the inner ear Ear infections Allergies Malfunctioning Eustachian tube Perforated eardrum Tumors Earwax that is impacted Otosclerosis – hereditary disorder due to bone overgrowth in the ear preventing vibration when the bone is stimulated by sound

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

Sensorineural hearing loss is related to nerve problems in the inner ear. Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss Exposure to loud noise Head trauma caused by sports activity, car accidents, etc. Disease or a virus, i.e., autoimmune inner ear disease, Meniere’s disease Inherited hearing loss Aging Malformation of the inner ear Otosclerosis Tumors

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of Sensorineural hearing loss and Conductive hearing loss indicating problems with the outer, middle, and inner ear. Causes of Mixed Hearing Loss Refer to Sensorineural and Conductive hearing loss causes

Hearing Doctors & Audiologists

Hearing Loss

Our extensively trained and experienced hearing doctors treat hearing loss, balance disorders, tinnitus, ear infections, swimmer’s ear, cranial nerve disorders and congenital disorders.

Hearing Loss Statistics

Hearing loss is the 3rd most common chronic health problem in the US. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIH) indicates that 15 percent of American adults, about 37.5 million of us, report some type of hearing loss. And about 13 percent of those aged 12 years and older (30 million) have hearing loss in both ears. Interestingly, adult men are twice as likely as women to have a hearing loss.

Alarmingly, 30 percent of adults aged 70 years and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used hearing aids. A variety of conditions can cause hearing loss in both the young and older population. Depending on what type of hearing loss you may have, treatment options are available ranging from a simple wax cleaning or treating an infection to hearing aids.

Tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing or buzzing in the ears, can be treated with the help of hearing aids. About 25 million Americans (10% of the population) have experienced tinnitus in the last year for a period of at least 5 minutes.

Untreated hearing loss can affect the ability to understand speech and can negatively impact social and emotional wellbeing. Hearing loss in the older population has been associated with depression (due to feeling excluded and unable to communicate comfortably in social settings) and falls, and can be a sign of heart disease or diabetes. Older adults that have a hearing loss are also more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease than those who do not have a hearing loss.

Hearing aids. The vast majority of Americans with hearing loss have their hearing effectively treated with hearing aids.

Types of Hearing Loss

Choosing Between an Audiologist and Hearing Doctor for Hearing Loss

If you have or suspect that you have a hearing loss in one or both ears, you may find yourself deciding between an audiologist or hearing doctor (also known as an ENT doctor) to get your hearing tested. An audiologist is a hearing specialist trained to diagnose and measure hearing loss, balance disorders, and tinnitus. Some may offer a specialty such as hearing aid selection/fitting, cochlear implants, pediatrics, and more. A hearing doctor is a medical doctor and also a hearing specialist trained medically and surgically to manage disorders of the ear. Similar to an audiologist, they can treat hearing loss, balance disorders, and tinnitus but can, additionally, treat ear infections, swimmer’s ear, cranial nerve disorders and congenital disorders.

Berger Henry ENT offers extensively trained and experienced audiologists and hearing doctors in Philadelphia to successfully treat your hearing loss.

If you think that you have a hearing loss, click the button below to schedule your hearing loss appointment.

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