Thursday, November 22, 2012

Different Types Of Hearing Loss

By Justine Evans


Hearing and speaking are two skills that are crucial to a child's learning development. These skills are mutually dependent since a child cannot pronounce a word or simply produce a sound if he or she is experiencing hearing problems. When this happens, a child will find it difficult to express himself or herself using the verbal language. It's important therefore for parents to be aware of the signs that tell if their child is experiencing some kind of hearing problem.

First off, parents should be aware that a baby can hear fairly but not fully. They tend to respond to exaggerated or loud sounds. This is because their middle ear is full of fluid which hinders them from hearing low-pitched sounds.

Hence, you have to check your child's hearing capability and visit an ENT Doctor for Children when he or she does not respond to loud sounds; or if your child never appeared to respond to your voice during the first months. Your new-born child should be able to distinguish your voice since your baby already heard it when he or she is still in your womb.

Types Of Hearing Impairment

Conductive hearing loss - this is a defect in hearing that affects the outer or middle ear. Although it affects all frequencies of hearing evenly, it usually does not lead to a severe kind of hearing impairment. An ent specialist singapore parents seek for this kind of hearing problem will suggest the use of hearing impairment or other kinds of medical treatment, including surgery.

Sensorineural hearing losses - this kind of hearing problem occurs when there is damage to the sensory hair cells of the inner ear. This condition prevents a person from hearing certain frequencies even if he or she is already using a hearing aid. This is why you can expect your ENT Singapore specialist to recommend other types of treatment for this hearing problem.

Mixed hearing loss - as the name suggests, it's a kind of hearing impairment that manifests both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Central hearing loss - this usually occurs when there is damage to the nerves of the brain or the central nervous system.




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