Hearing loss is a very common problem that affects most people at some point in their lives. Because it's so common, people will often times ignore this problem and cause significant delay in diagnosis and treatment.

All hearing loss should be evaluated, regardless of the persons age.  Obviously, some types of hearing loss are not emergencies (for example, a 90 year old person that has slowly lost some hearing in both ears over a 5 to 10 year period).  But if you are not sure, it's better to get the opinion of a physician as soon as possible.  

Hearing loss is divided into two main categories: conductive and sensoryneural.  

Condutive Hearing Loss (CHL)

As the name implies, conductive hearing loss is used to describe a problem in conducting sound energy through the ear drum and middle ear bones towards the cochlea, which is the inner ear organ of hearing.  Any anatomic problem with the ear drum, the middle ear ossicles, and the space wich they are in can lead to CHL.  Common examples include tympanic membrane perforations (hole in the ear drum) and otitis media (fluid in the middle ear space behind the ear drum).  Usually, surgical correction of the anatomical problem is possible so that hearing can be restored.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

Sensorinueral nearing loss results from damage to the hair cells of the hearing organ (cochlea) or the auditory nerve that leads stimulus from this organ to the brain.  In the illustration to the right, the chochlea is purple and the auditory nerve is in yellow further to the right of it.  Unfotunately, this type of hearing loss is usually not reversible.

The following are examples of hearing loss that are more concerning:

1. Sudden hearing loss.  This usually occurs in one ear and is always concerning.  This needs to be reported immidiately, even if it means visiting the emergency room.  A sudden loss can result from infection, trauma, tumors, and even minor strokes.  Whatever the cause, earlier detection and treatment will not only make sure you are not in danger of more serious problems developing, but may increase the chances of reversing the hearing loss.

2.  Hearing loss associated with facial weakness or paralysis.  This can be a sign of inflammtion and damage to the facial nerve, which moves the fact.  If this occurs, immidiate evaluation and treatment can lead to a higher chance of regaining facial movement.