Hearing loss refers to reduced hearing from a problem in 1 or more parts of the ear and can affect people of all ages. Sound waves usually move through the external ear canal and vibrate the eardrum. The vibration then passes through the middle ear bones to the cochlea (cavity of the inner ear for hearing). The cochlea sensory cells receive the vibrations and send signals to the auditory nerves (hearing nerves) and to the brain, which recognises these signals as sounds.
There are 3 types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss – occurs when sound waves are not passed properly from the outside environment to the cochlea
- Presbycusis – hearing loss that occurs with ageing
- Sensorineural hearing loss – occurs when the cochlea or auditory (hearing) nerves are damaged