There are many possible causes of hearing loss. Typically these include:

• Natural ageing process

• Exposure to loud or constant noise

• Illness or complications at birth

• Toxic medication

• Ear infection

• Trauma

• Injury

Conductive Hearing Loss

When the sound is not transmitted from the outer to the inner ear. Causes can include wax blockage and middle ear infections (otitis media) or perforations to the eardrum. In many cases this type of hearing loss will benefit from the use of a hearing aid system, sometimes in conjunction with medication and/or surgery.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Inner ear dysfunction. Such hearing loss is irreversible. Possible causes general wear and tear and noise exposure. Hearing instrument technology enable most patients to gain significant benefit.

Mixed Hearing Loss
As above both Conductive and Sensorineural.

A person who experiences hearing loss can have a range of tests, usually at a registered UK hearing aid dispenser or Hospital Audiology clinic. Examination of each ear is followed by an audiometric hearing assessment enabling the Hearing Aid Audiologist to determine if a hearing aid is required and if so which model would be most suitable.

Over 8 million people in the UK, all through the age ranges suffer from some form of hearing loss. Perhaps only a quarter of this number who would benefit from wearing hearing aids actually do wear them. We ask ourselves everyday why is this?

We have a few questions to help ascertain as to whether you or a member of you family might have a hearing difficulty.

Just 10 questions to answer honestly!

Do I have difficulty following a conversation when background noise is present?

Do I miss parts of the conversation?

Do I hear better if I can see the person and they are facing me?

Do I have to turn the television or radio up?

Even when I have turned the television or radio up, do I still have difficulty hearing clearly?

Do I sometimes get the wrong end of the stick?

Do I feel that people are mumbling?

Do I often ask people to repeat themselves?

Do I miss the doorbell or phone especially if there is something else going on in the background?

Do I withdraw from conversations when in company because I cannot hear them and its too difficult to keep concentrating for that long?

If you answer two or more of these questions yes then it maybe time to investigate the problems you are having.

We at Hearing World would be more than happy to help.