What is the degree of hearing loss? The type and degree are essential pieces of information for determining the method of treatment. This article will elucidate some of the jargon in the world of hearing loss.
 

Types of loss

There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and a mix of these two.
 

Conductive hearing loss refers to any dysfunction that occurs in the outer or middle ear in the presence of a normal inner ear. The problem in a conductive loss lies in the individual's inability to conduct sound to the remainder of the hearing mechanism. Conductive losses are usually caused by obstructions to the external ear canal, e.g. wax in the ear. Other causes may be:
 

* impaired movement of the tympanic membrane

* restricted movement of the ossicles

* atresia or occluded auditory canal

* infection in the middle ear, e.g. otitis media
 

Sensorineural loss occurs when the dysfunction is in the inner ear or along the nerve pathway from the inner ear to the brain. This type of loss is characterized by the individual's inability to perceive sounds at different frequencies at the same level of intensity. Most often, the ability to hear higher frequencies is lost. In speech, these higher frequencies are the f, s, and th sounds. Individuals with a sensorineural loss tend to speak with louder voices than socially necessary and experience difficulty with speech discrimination. Sensorineural losses can be treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants in most cases.
 

Mixed losses are just that- a mixture of both a conductive and a sensorineural loss.
 

Degree of loss

Determining the degree of hearing loss can be difficult, particularly with young children who do not test as well as older people who can provide more accurate results.
 

Mild - a loss of 27-40 db creates difficulty hearing faint or distant speech. Even a mild hearing loss can be serious for children still learning to talk; favorable classroom seating is needed, and the individual may benefit from lip reading instruction.
 

Moderate - At 41-55 db, this individual understands speech at a distance of 3-5 feet. He or she will need a hearing aid, auditory training, lip reading, favorable seating, speech conversation and speech correction.
 

Moderately Severe - At 56-70 db, conversation must be loud to be understood. This individual will experience great difficulty in group and classroom discussion, and will need all of the above in addition to language therapy and possibly a special class for the hard of hearing.
 

Severe- 70-90 db loss. Individuals with a severe loss may hear a loud voice about one foot from the ear. He or she may identify environmental noises, and may distinguish vowels but not consonants. It is at this level that we begin to use the term "deaf."
 

Profound - Anything over 91 db. These individuals may hear some loud sounds, but they do not rely on hearing as their primary means for communication. With this level of hearing loss, hearing aids may or may not help; cochlear implants are often an option.