Hearing Loss in Spain

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outer, inner and middle ear

One in ten people suffer some hearing loss, but for those over the age of 55 it is one in five. There are many possible causes of hearing loss which include:

  •  Natural ageing process
  • Exposure to loud or constant noise
  • Complications at birth
  • Incorrect medication
  • Ear infection
  • Trauma or injury

 The ear consists of three parts: the outer, middle and inner ear.

Conductive Hearing Loss is interference with the transmission of sound from the outer to the inner ear. Causes can include middle ear infections:

  • collection of fluid in the middle ear ("glue ear" in children)
  • blockage of the outer ear (by wax)
  • damage to the eardrum by infection or an injury. Often this type of hearing loss will benefit from the use of a hearing aid system, sometimes in conjunction with medication and/or surgery 

Sensor Neural Hearing Loss is a disorder of the inner ear and is irreversible, but instrument technology enables most patients’ hearing to be significantly improved.

Mixed Hearing Loss has elements of both Conductive and Sensor Neural hearing loss with wear and tear on the inner ear nerve making certain sounds difficult to hear.

Common Symptoms of hearing loss include:

  • Turning the TV or Radio up very loud to be able to hear them
  • Difficulty in hearing every word that is being said particularly when there is background noise or when voices are high pitched.
  • You keep asking  people to repeat themselves
  • You have difficulty hearing the doorbell or telephone ring
  • Uncertainty on where sounds are coming from To check your hearing you undergo an examination of each ear followed by an audiometric hearing assessment.  This will determine what treatment is necessary and if a hearing aid is required.