Types of Hearing Loss in Victoria

Many types and degrees of hearing loss exist, ranging from mild nuisance in certain situations to significant medical conditions that should be discussed with your medical practitioner. Some hearing loss will eventually come to all of us. This is called a presbycusis loss age-related, or sensorineural loss, much like when you find your eyesight isn’t quite as good as it used to be.

Those individuals who have been exposed to loud noises for prolonged periods of time may have incurred a noise-induced loss. This is generally limited to those who have been employed in heavy industry or worked with loud machinery for extended periods of time.

This is produced by the injury to, or problems with, the bones, eardrum and membranes, which carry the sound from the external ear through the middle ear to the inner ear. An excessive build-up of wax can also cause a conductive loss as the sound is unable to travel through to the middle ear.

This is a combination of conductive and sensorineural loss.

Unfortunately, all too often, hearing loss is either left undiagnosed or untreated for far too long. A hearing assessment takes only 30-40 minutes, at the end of which you will know the degree of the loss and whether it can benefit from medical intervention. When appropriate, a report will be sent to your doctor.

Hearing devices do not restore your hearing. They do, however, work with what is left of your residual hearing to maximise your ability to understand.

Your practitioner will be happy to answer any questions.