Comprehensive Care for All Types of Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss

Congenital (Present at Birth) Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that is present at birth is called congenital hearing loss. It can be caused by inherited (genetic) conditions in which the parents pass on defective genes to the baby; by abnormalities in the way the baby’s inner ear structures develop in the womb; or by infections contracted by the mother during pregnancy such as rubella (German measles) and herpes simplex virus.

Newborns are always tested for hearing function shortly after birth. If a hearing impairment is detected, our experts offer a multidisciplinary evaluation and advanced diagnostics so that the best treatment plan can be determined for each child.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

As its name suggests, this type of hearing loss is the result of long-term exposure to excessively loud noises. The vibrations produced by very loud and repetitive sounds can cause damage to the sensitive structures and nerve fibers in the inner ear that respond to sounds. It cannot be medically or surgically corrected but there are some devices that can help to restore or partially restore hearing. The first step in treatment will always be to eliminate one’s exposure to excessive noise.

Sudden Hearing Loss

When hearing loss occurs suddenly, it is always an emergency. It usually occurs due to a viral infection, inflammation or problems with the blood supply to the inner ear and requires immediate evaluation and treatment by an ear, nose and throat specialist to prevent permanent damage. Treatment usually involves either oral steroids or the injection of steroid medications through the ear drum into the middle ear space to reduce inflammation in the inner ear.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when the tiny hearing bones in the ear do not move and vibrate normally in response to sound waves. The bones may either be fixated (unmoving) or dislocated due to trauma, chronic infections, scarring or cysts (cholesteatoma) within the ear.

Our experts use state-of-the-art microscopic or endoscopic approaches to evaluate and treat conductive hearing loss caused by:

• Otosclerosis. A condition in which the bone around the inner ear is abnormal, causing fixation of the stapes bone and leading to hearing loss. It can often be treated with a surgical procedure called stapedectomy, in which the surgeon removes the fixated bone and replaces it with an artificial device or prosthesis. The device allows sound waves to once again be conducted to the inner ear and restore hearing.
• Infection, growths or scarring in the inner ear. These conditions can lead to fixation or erosion of the tiny hearing bones that make up the ossicular chain in the middle ear. This chain of bones is responsible for transferring sound waves to the inner ear so that hearing can occur. Hearing loss in these cases can often be treated with a procedure called ossiculoplasty, in which the ossicular chain is reconstructed with artificial devices (prostheses) to restore the original mechanics of hearing.

Age-related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)

Presbycusis is the gradual, progressive hearing loss that occurs in most individuals as they grow older. A very common condition in older adults, presbycusis can be managed with either hearing aids or, depending on the severity of the hearing loss, with a cochlear implant. Our multi-disciplinary cochlear implant team evaluates such patients in a comprehensive manner that includes a cognitive evaluation to select those individuals who are most likely to benefit from this intervention.

To help determine the specific cause of your hearing loss, UH offers specialized hearing tests performed by an audiologist – a professional trained to evaluate, measure and treat hearing problems. Based on test results, a comprehensive treatment plan will be developed to help manage the patient’s hearing loss or balance disorder. These tests may include:

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

ABR measures the brainstem’s response to sound. A computerized hearing test, the ABR detects electrical activity in the cochlea and the auditory pathways to the brain. It is helpful in determining where the hearing problem originates and is often used to evaluate hearing loss in people who are unable to respond to standard hearing tests.

Electrocochleography (ECoG)

The ECoG test is most often used to determine if the inner ear (cochlea) has an excessive amount of fluid pressure which can cause symptoms such as hearing loss, a sensation of aural fullness, dizziness, and/or tinnitus, consistent with Meniere’s disease.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

VEMP is an evaluation that can help diagnose the cause(s) of balance disorders and vertigo. The test measures responses from the neck, which can help to determine if an inner ear condition is causing dizziness, vertigo and imbalance.

Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) Evaluation

The CAPD evaluation is used for patients who struggle with processing and interpreting sounds when there is background noise; have difficulty with auditory memory; or have difficulty hearing/understanding sounds when more than one person is speaking or when the speaker has an accent.

Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)

vHIT testing is used for the accurate, real-time assessment of function of the three semi-circular, interconnected tubes in the inner ear which control balance. It can help to identify and measure dysfunction of the balance system and determine if one or both ears are affected.