Hearing loss is a treatable condition that affects about 20 percent of the population. Hearing loss may result from illness, be hereditary, be due to age, or come from prolonged exposures to loud noises. Audiometric hearing testings in Lancaster, PA evaluates which part or parts of the ear are causing the hearing loss in addition to the level of loss.
A conductive hearing loss is from damage or blockage to the outer or middle ear. Conductive losses may be temporary or permanent. Loss due to a buildup of wax in the ear canal is treated by removing the wax. Hearing loss due to ear infections will be improved after the fluid in the middle ear has cleared. Tubes surgically placed in the eardrum may be recommended to prevent fluid buildup that impacts hearing. Damage to the small bones in the middle ear or to the eardrum may not be reversible.
A sensorineural hearing loss is due to damage in the inner ear. The inner ear contains the hearing organ, otherwise known as the cochlea, and the auditory nerve. Damage to either of these components is most likely permanent.
A hearing test is a relatively short procedure. In less than an hour, an audiologist will test your hearing at different volumes for each pitch. The test is a simple process for the patient, who will be required to listen to the sounds and indicate when they are heard. The test evaluates hearing through both sound waves in the air and through the bone behind the ear. The air conduction test will evaluate hearing through sound waves entering the ear canal and vibrations traveling throughout the ear. The bone conduction test will evaluate the presence and extent of a sensorineural hearing loss.
The symptoms of hearing loss are similar for both conductive and sensorineural losses. For young children, a hearing test should be conducted if the child seems unresponsive to sounds or is having difficulty learning to talk. In adults, signs of hearing loss include difficulty understanding conversations, hearing higher-pitched voices, and communicating in loud environments. If a hearing loss is suspected, visit for audiometric hearing testing in Lancaster, PA.
