The Human Ear
The ear is a very complex organ comprising three parts: outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. From the inner ear the auditory nerve transmits information to the brain for processing. Hearing loss can result from an obstruction or damage in any of these three parts.
Possible Causes of Hearing Loss
- In the outer ear- typical problems include excessive accumulation of earwax and infection of the auditory canal, such as “swimmer’s ear”.
- In the middle ear- may be caused by perorated eardrum, infection, fluid in the middle ear or otosclerosis.
- In the inner ear- the majority of hearing problems result from damaged inner ear structures. Typical causes are the natural ageing process, excessive exposure to noise, medication that is toxic to the auditory system and head injuries. In these cases, the tiny hairs in the cochlea are damaged, obstructing the transfer of sound signals to the brain.
The degree of hearing loss varies from person to person. Between the two extremes of hearing well and hearing nothing, there are many degrees of hearing loss, ranging from mild, moderate, severe to profound.
Most hearing losses are mild to moderate, but any hearing loss drastically reduces the ability to understand speech. It is therefore important to care for your hearing throughout life. If you, your partner, children, teenaged family members and friends experience symptoms of hearing loss at any age, it is recommended that your hearing is checked by a qualified hearing practitioner.
