GREEK INTRODUCTION TO HEARING LOSS
PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION WITH HEARING LOSS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
Hearing loss is a hearing disorder that occurs in 10% of the world population. 90% of this could benefit by the usage of hearing aids. It also causes many difficulties in daily life: feelings of insecurity, diminished human relationships and activities.
People with hearing disabilities face serious difficulties in their daily lives in performing simple tasks such as using the phone, watching television, listening to the alarm, or the car horn.
In Greece, hearing impairments are estimated at around 900,000, of which 60,000-80,000 are children. Oral speech is the main mean of communication between people and is directly dependent on hearing. Hearing impairment has serious implications for our relationships with our fellow humans.
In many cases, they give the impression that they are abstract or slow in their perception and understanding, thus draws ironic comments.
THE OUTSIDE EAR
The outer part of the ear includes the flap and the auditory canal. Here the sounds are collected and directed to the drum.
THE MIDDLE ΕAR
The middle ear consists of the tympanic membrane and the three small bones, that convert sound into vibrations, that are transmitted to the inner ear.
THE INNER EAR
The inner ear consists of the cochlea, that is fluid-filled containing the hypersensitive hair cells. These are responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical pulses. The hair cells at one end of the cochlea retransmit low-frequency sounds and the hair cells at the other end high-frequency sounds. The acoustic nerve transmits signals to the brain that are perceived as sounds.
WHATEVER DISTURBS THIS SLIMMING FUNCTION WILL CAUSE HEARING LOSS.
HEARING LOSS TYPES
THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF HEARING LOSS:
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SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
Hearing loss due to the absence or destruction of sensory cells (hair cells) in the cochlea is called sensorineural. This specific type of hearing loss may be due to heredity, ototoxic drugs and normal aging (presbytery).
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CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS
Any problem in the outer or middle ear, that results the sounds not being properly sounded is called conductive hearing loss. Such cases occur when the acoustic resource is closed by cell or a foreign body or the tympanic membrane is ruptured or punctured, when osteogenesis of the stab (otosclerosis) occurs or the middle ear bones are fractured.
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MIXED HEARING LOSS
Mixed hearing loss combines conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. It is caused by problems in the inner, outer or middle ear.
