From there, it is converted into complex sound signals and percolated through the cochlea.

It is then conducted to the auditory cortex via the auditory nerve.

Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent.

Causes of permanent hearing loss are:

• Congenital rubella – if the mother suffers from rubella early in her pregnancy (in the first three months), the child will usually be deaf by birth. This is a type of congenital deafness and it is usually permanent. Both the ears are affected.
• Meniere’s disease – is a disease of the inner ear. There is a continuous rise in the amount of endolymph in the cochlea which creates pressure over the nerve ending present inside it. Meniere’s disease is commonly seen in one ear, but can be of bilateral as well. The deafness is progressive and complete.
• Trauma – permanent damage to the tympanic membrane can occur due to injury, sudden exposure to a very loud noise in the case of an explosion or diseases of the middle ear. As the tympanic membrane is damaged, sound waves cannot pass through to the middle ear bones causing permanent hearing loss.
• Acoustic neuroma – a tumor of the eighth cranial nerve (auditory nerve). Usually unilateral, acoustic neuroma gives a symptom of fullness in one ear along with deafness.
• Genetic disorders – some genetic disorders like Treacher-Collin syndrome, Down syndrome, Crouzon syndrome are insignificant causes of permanent hearing loss.
• Head injury – injury to the cerebral cortex controlling the sense of hearing can lead to permanent deafness.
• Otitis media – if it reaches the auditory nerve and causes damage, it will likely cause permanent hearing loss.
• Some medicines (like aspirin, chemotherapy drugs, aminoglycosides) if taken for a long enough time can damage the auditory nerve.

These are the most common causes of permanent hearing loss.

If you cannot perceive sound properly, consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist before jumping to any conclusions.

What are the treatments for conductive hearing loss?

The second most common type of hearing loss is conductive hearing loss.

In order to be certain that you are suffering from conductive hearing loss, you must be properly diagnosed.

The diagnostic procedure for conductive hearing loss is observation of the air-bone gap. If your air-bone gap is determined to be more than 10 decibels, you are suffering from conductive hearing loss.

There are actually several different causes for conductive hearing loss. Among these are foreign bodies, osteomas, and external otitis. Many foreign bodies are possibly pebbles, dirt, and sand.

These can be easily removed from the ear and the conductive hearing loss goes away naturally. However, for osteomas, which occur in people who swim in cold water, there is no treatment necessary.

External Otitis is a painful ear infection, however, it is quickly treated with antibiotics and the conductive hearing loss disappears. These are the most common causes of conductive hearing loss, there are several causes. However, the incidence of people having conductive hearing losses from these causes are exceedingly rare.

Treatment options for conductive hearing loss include the use of hearing aids and surgery. Hearing aids help amplify sound and the results are extremely good. Typically, surgery is used as a last resort. The reason that surgery is reserved as a more skeptical option is the fact that it is relatively difficult to complete.

While there are many doctors that are capable of completing the surgery, it requires great skill and delicate handling in order to avoid more hearing loss.

You may also have trouble hearing women and children as they often speak at lower volumes. Thirdly, having to turn the TV or radio to a volume where others find it to be loud can be another social sign of hearing loss.

Emotional signs of hearing loss can be extremely hard to cope with. You may feel stressed, annoyed, embarrassed and nervous, often all at the same time. Stress may attack your body when you are straining to hear what someone else is saying in a conversation. Another type of emotion that you may be experiencing is annoyance. You may be annoyed that other people do not speak loud enough, or annoyed that you have to ask them to speak louder.

Medical signs of hearing loss include a family history, or diabetes. Having a family history of hearing loss can increase your risk of developing some hearing loss. Also, diabetes is known to cause problems with hearing. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may check your hearing to make sure it is not being affected.

Make sure you face hearing loss head on. Talking with a doctor at the first signs of hearing loss can often increase your chances of being able to hear more. Whether you notice an social sign, emotional sign or medical sign, make sure your hearing loss is checked out.