FAQs

The following are the different types of hearing loss

Conductive Hearing Loss (CHL): Hearing loss caused by problems with the ear canal, eardrum or middle ear. Some possible causes include

• Malformation of outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear structures
• Fluid in the middle ear
• Middle Ear infection (otitis media – an infection of the middle ear in which an accumulation of fluid may interfere with the movement of the eardrum and ossicles)
• Poor Eustachian tube function
• Perforated eardrum (i.e. with holes)
• Excessive earwax
• Ear canal infection
• Foreign body in the ear
• Otosclerosis (i.e. abnormal bone growth in ear)

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL): Hearing loss caused by problems of the inner ear or nerve-related hearing loss Some possible causes include

• Poor Eustachian tube function
• Prolonged exposure to loud noises
• Head tr

• Genetic factors
• Infection during pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Injury at birth etc

Hearing loss that occurs after birth is called Acquired hearing loss. It can be caused by

• Ear infections from viruses or bacteria, like meningitis or measles
• Head injuries etc

Hearing loss in one ear only is usually caused by

• Viral or bacterial infections
• Physical trauma to the head
• Circulatory system disorders

If you’re experiencing hearing loss in one ear only, please consult an audiologist like us over at Advance Hearing Center as early as possible

Tinnitus is a hearing disorder diagnosed as a persistent ringing in the ears, or even whistling or buzzing sounds in some individuals. Most healthy individuals will experience non-bothersome tinnitus, though in some individuals it may be severe enough to affect their daily lives

Depending on the underlying cause of your tinnitus, different treatment and management methods are available. Treatment methods aim to reduce the onset of tinnitus, such as through

• Removal of excessive earwax
• Stopping or reducing certain medications that are suspected to cause tinnitus
• A pre-existing disease causing tinnitus

Management methods aim to help the individual reduce the perception of tinnitus so that it minimizes the impact it has on one’s daily lives. These methods which will take time include

• Sound therapy using hearing aids
• Counselling and education e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) You may read more about tinnitus

The best hearing aids for one person may not be the best for another individual. Each person has their own specific hearing and lifestyle needs, so your audiologist will help you to find the best hearing aids for you that are best for your needs

Hearing aids have basic components: The microphone, the processor and amplifier, the speaker, and the battery

• The microphone picks up the sounds in the environment and passes it to the processor
• The processor and amplifier enhance the signal and deliver it to the speaker
• The speaker delivers the amplified signal to the ear canal
• The battery acts as the power source, driving the system

Hearing aid pricing varies depending on the style, type and most importantly, technology. The price of a single hearing aid ranges from 250$ to 5500$ per ear. This price includes the cost of hearing examination, the consultation, and fitting and post-fitting adjustments. The device warranty can range from one to three years

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) is a surgically implanted device, and is generally for people with conductive hearing loss., though there are people with sensorineural and mixed hearing loss who use BAHA as well. While conventional hearing aids transmit sound through air conduction, BAHA stimulates the cochlear (an organ involved in the inner ear) through bone conduction, thereby bypassing the outer and middle ear, and directly to the inner ear where the signal can be sent to the brain