Unilateral & Bilateral Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is an impairment which can cause some serious predicaments. There are different types of hearing loss with distinct characteristics. Hearing loss is usually categorised according to the affected area of the hearing pathway. A specialist identifies the particular area of the hearing pathway which is affecting the patient’s ability to hear properly. Identifying the type of hearing loss is crucial for effectively treating hearing loss. The types of hearing loss include:

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss
• Functional hearing loss
• Conductive hearing loss
• Central hearing loss

• Types of Hearing Loss
• Facts about Hearing Loss
• Types and Causes of Hearing Loss
• Hearing Impairment and Aids
• Eligibility for Social Security Benefits

In conductive hearing loss, the hearing loss occurs due to an interference of the sound waves between the middle ear and the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss is treatable in most of the cases. 

Mixed hearing loss is a type of hearing loss wherein symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss is present.

In central hearing loss, patients experience an auditory behaviour which is inconsistent.

In functional hearing loss, the patients actually do not have any physical causes for the hearing loss. It's rather the behavioral or psychological disorders which give rise to functional hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by dysfunctions in the inner ear or the nerves surrounding the inner ear. Brain malfunctions can also lead to sensorineural hearing loss.

Bilateral hearing loss is the type of hearing loss where the hearing impairment affects both the ears. The primary cause of bilateral hearing loss is old age. Some other causes of bilateral hearing loss may be diseases, excessive noise exposure or tobacco use. If the hearing loss is caused by aging, it is known as Presbycusis. To treat bilateral hearing, physicians perform the Whisper Test and investigate the ear canal. Another type of testing for treating bilateral hearing loss is Audiometry Testing.

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Unilateral hearing loss or UHL is also referred to as Single Sided Deafness or SSD. In UHL, the person affected has an auditory impairment of the ears. For treating unilateral hearing loss, physicians often use CROS or ‘Contralateral Routing of Signals’ hearing aids. In CROS, the device captures the sounds from the impaired hear and transmits it to the normal ear.

• Difficulty in hearing sounds in one ear
• Difficulty in comprehending speech when there’s a background noise.
• Difficulty in identifying the area from where the sound is coming from.
• Social isolation
• Irritability
• Frequent stress

• Single Sided Deafness
• Effect of Hearing Loss in One Ear
• Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss
• Unilateral Sudden Hearing Loss
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Modern advancements in medical science make curing unilateral and bilateral hearing loss possible. Even if the person affected with certain types of hearing loss is not completely cured, he or she still would greatly benefit from modern hearing loss treatments.