ear (hearing loss)

Question 1

what causes hearing loss?

Answer 1

if something goes wrong with:
- working of the ossicles
- nerve cells + fluid in ear
- nerve pathways to brain
- conduction of sound waves in outer ear

Question 2

what are the four main types of hearing loss?

Answer 2

• conductive (external or middle ear)
• sensorineural (inner ear)
• mixed (external OR middle + inner)
• auditory processing disorders (brain)

Question 3

what are the causes of conductive hearing loss?

Answer 3

wax build up
trauma (e.g. loud explosion)
tumour
abnormal bone growth in ossicles stopping vibrations

Question 4

what are the causes of sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 4

chemotherapy
genetics
prolonged exposure to loud noise
head or acoustic tumour
tumour

Question 5

what technologies address conductive hearing loss?

Answer 5

hearing aids
bone conduction implants (ossicles)

Question 6

what technologies address sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 6

cochlear implant (for profound cases)