Conductive Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

A loss of hearing in most cases gradually creeps up on us without us being aware of the problem. The person with a hearing loss is usually the last to be aware. There are two types of hearing loss, Conductive or Sensory Neural. A conductive hearing loss is normally more dramatic in terms of perception, generally having the affect of a drop in volume and clarity, a little bit like having earplugs in your ears. Types of Conductive losses include perforation to the ear drum, Otosclerosis, many forms of Ottitis Media or even excessive wax. If you have never had a hearing test before and we find a Conductive loss is present, we would refer you to your GP on medical grounds as there may be other options available to you other than a hearing aid.
A Sensory Neural loss has many causes such as hereditary, medication, viral, blood or heart problems, noise induced or in a vast number of cases the aging process (Presbyacusis). People with a Sensory Neural loss can have a normal perception of volume but a poor perception of clarity. For some, this will mean that conversation in a quiet environment is managable, although things like the television will have to be louder, but in a noisier enviroment, the individual will struggle due to the background noise drowning out the clarity of speech. The best solution for a Sensory Neural loss is usually corrected by the use of a hearing system.