Sensori-neural hearing loss

Occurs when a problem affects the inner ear. Sounds are received from the outer and middle ear but are not efficiently converted to nerve impulses. This type of hearing loss results in a lack of ‘clarity’ rather than ‘volume’ and is permanent in nature.

Conductive hearing loss

Occurs when a problem in the outer or middle ear prevents sound vibrations from passing through to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss results in a general reduction in hearing ‘volume’ and is potentially medically treatable.

Hair Cells

Hearing loss is most commonly caused by damage to the hair cells in the cochlea located in the inner ear. This is either due to the natural ageing process or other causes, such as exposure to loud noise, disease or infection.

The hair cells transmit sound in the form of nerve impulses to the brain, which interprets them as recognisable sounds.

Damaged hair cells cannot send complete signals to your brain, making speech less distinctive especially in background noise. Speech becomes difficult to follow as words appear to run into one another.

Three main types of hearing loss-

A breakdown or weakening of any part of the hearing system can result in a loss of hearing. The area of weakness or malfunction determines the type of hearing loss:

Hearing Loss

There are many possible causes of hearing loss - anything from a damaged eardrum or a simple wax blockage, to deterioration of hearing caused by the natural ageing process. In fact, around 1 in 7 of us have some degree of hearing difficulty.

Mixed hearing loss

Occurs when both conductive and sensori-neural problems co-exist.

The Hearing Specialists clinicians are passionate about hearing and hearing loss. They can identify the nature of hearing losses quickly and accurately, giving you a clear understanding of why and how your hearing problems exist and what action you need to take.

"With over 30 years' of experience in hearing care, you could not be in better hands