Types of hearing loss
This type of hearing loss occurs when sound cannot effectively pass through the outer or middle ear.
What is conductive hearing loss?
These visible structures collect sound waves and funnel them into the ear canal.
What are the pinnae (or outer ears)?
0-15 dB hearing Level (HL)
What is the normal hearing range?
A simple buildup of this material in the ear canal can block sound and cause conductive hearing loss.
What is cerumen?
Gradual, age-related high-frequency hearing loss is called this.
What is presbycusis?
Damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve typically results in this irreversible form of hearing loss.
What is sensorineural hearing loss?
This thin membrane vibrates when hit by sound waves and marks the border between the outer and middle ear.
What is the tympanic membrane (eardrum)?
90 dB hearing level or greater
What is the range for a profound hearing loss?
Fluid behind the eardrum from this common childhood condition can temporarily reduce hearing.
What is otitis media?
Causes hearing loss due to a lack of oxygen.
What is anoxia?
When a person has both conductive and sensorineural hearing components, this combined type is diagnosed.
What is mixed hearing loss?
This snail-shaped organ converts mechanical vibrations into electrical signals for the auditory nerve.
What is the cochlea?
70- 90 dB hearing level
What is the range for a severe hearing loss?
A perforation in this membrane commonly causes conductive hearing loss.
What is the tympanic membrane?
Hearing loss caused by certain medications.
What are ototoxic meds?
This type of hearing loss fluctuates and is often temporary, caused by middle-ear fluid or infection.
What is conductive hearing loss?
The three smallest bones in the human body—the malleus, incus, and stapes—are collectively known as this.
What are the ossicles?
40- 55 dB hearing level
What is the range for a moderate hearing loss?
This condition occurs when the ear canal narrows or becomes blocked by swelling, commonly known as “swimmer’s ear.”
What is otitis externa?
A hearing loss that can occur in infants when a mother's negative blood is incompatible with the fetus's positive blood.
What is Rh incompatibility?
Age-related hearing loss, also called presbycusis, falls under this category.
What is sensorineural hearing loss?
These electrical impulses from "this" are sent to the brain, where they are perceived as sound by the listener.
25- 40 dB hearing level
What is the range for a mild hearing loss?
Something lodged in the ear canal.
What is an object?
A benign tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve that leads to unilateral sensorineural hearing loss is known as this.
What is an acoustic neuroma?