The Ear

The ear is generally divided into three parts: the outer or external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The outer ear (the visible portion of the ear) collects sound and sends it to the ear drum. The eardrum is a small membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear.

The middle ear houses a chain of three tiny bones that are connected together, the first of which is attached to the eardrum. These bones are set into vibration by movement of the eardrum which continues the transmission of sound through the pathway of hearing. The third bone in the chain is attached to the inner ear by another small membrane or window.

The inner ear contains the tiny nerve endings for balance and hearing. It also contains a very unique fluid that becomes set in motion by movement (or displacement) of the small window. The tiny nerve endings are then stimulated and each send a message or impulse to the brain.

The brain is separated into two sides or hemispheres. The left hemisphere receives the majority of information collected by the right ear, while the right hemisphere of the brain receives the majority of information collected by the left ear. The brain interprets the information received and the sensation of hearing occurs. The small differences in the intensity (or loudness) of the sound reaching our ears, along with the time it takes for sound to reach our ears, plays an important role in our brain's ability to filter noise, interpret or understand speech, and determine the direction from which sound is coming.

When sound is processed through only one ear, the brain is deprived of this very important information, and its efficiency in interpreting sound is dramatically reduced. Therefore, both ears play a significant role in the process of hearing.

Types of Hearing Impairment

Basically, there are three types of hearing impairments: conductive, sensorineural and mixed.

Since the outer ear and middle ear are involved in the conduction of sound, a problem located in these areas is considered a conductive hearing impairment. It may be corrected or partially corrected with surgery and/or medication. Amplification or the use of hearing aids may also be an option.

A problem associated with the inner ear is considered a sensorineural hearing impairment. Generally, this type of hearing impairment is the result of damage or degeneration to the tiny nerve endings. It is usually not correctable with surgery or medication. The use of amplification is typically the treatment of choice.

If both of these types of hearing impairment occur at the same time, the result is a mixed hearing impairment

Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can affect anybody, from a new born baby to somebody celebrating their 100th birthday and anybody in between. About 3 out of every 1,000 new born babies are born with some form of hearing impairment; which makes it one of the most common birth defects in the world.

Hearing loss means something inside the ear isn't working correctly, or as well as it should be. Some people may also use the words deaf, deafness, or hard of hearing when they are referring to hearing loss. By and large, the deaf and hard of hearing community prefers to be referred to as either "deaf" or "hard of hearing".

To properly understand how and why hearing loss happens you really have to know how the ear works. There are various types of hearing loss and many different causes for it. Some people are afflicted with hearing loss at birth and some people are stricken with it after birth. Hearing loss, commonly known as hearing impairment, occurs when there is a problem with one or more parts a person's ear or ears. A person who suffers from hearing loss or hearing impairment may be able to hear some sounds or hardly any sounds at all.

Hearing loss can be caused by such things as illness and injury and it can also be hereditary. It can also be permanent or temporary. Hearing loss can be caused by serious infections of the middle ear - such as meningitis - or from maternal diabetes, lack of oxygen and head injuries. Listening to very loud music, especially through headphones, and exposure to loud or repetitive sounds such as machinery, airplanes, gunshots, etc. can be responsible for hearing loss later in life.

There are a few different types of hearing loss including conductive, sensory, mixed (conductive and sensory combined), and neural. Each type of hearing loss also has secondary categories - such as otitis media and ostosclerosis in conductive hearing loss.

One of the hardest elements of dealing with hearing loss is finding out that you or a family member may have it. You should have your hearing checked regularly to see if everything is working properly. Temporary hearing loss can often be cured by surgery or medication but permanent hearing loss means you will have to wear hearing aids.