Types of
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is categorized by degree and type. The degrees of loss are mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe or profound. There are also different types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type, affecting the most people. Sensorineural occurs when there is damage to the hearing nerve or the hair cells within the inner ear which are responsible for hearing. Causes include age, genetics, loud noise exposure, head trauma, ototoxic medications, or an underlying health condition (heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure). This type of hearing loss is irreversible but can be managed with hearing aids.
Conductive hearing loss is less common and occurs when there is an issue conducting sound from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Causes can include ear infections, ruptured eardrum, fluid in the middle ear, or a blockage in the ear (such as earwax). Conductive loss can be surgically corrected.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive losses. Treatment would include using hearing aids in conjunction with surgical treatment for the conductive portion.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss typically occurs over a span of a few years, making it difficult to notice. Here are some signs it may be time to have your hearing checked.
- Conversations with more than one speaker are difficult to follow
- It seems like people mumble
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
- Women and children’s voices are harder to hear
- You need the volume turned up on the TV or radio
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise
- You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Auditory Processing Disorders
Despite having normal hearing, people with auditory processing disorders (APD) have difficulty processing auditory information. First Coast Brain Builders is unique as we can diagnose and treat auditory processing disorders using an interprofessional model.
Types of Auditory Processing Disorders
Decoding: Difficulty with the ability to digest speech quickly and accurately at the phonemic level. There is poor speech-sound discrimination and problems with phonics.
Tolerance-Fading Memory: These two skills are necessary to work together. Tolerance refers to hearing speech in noise. Fading memory refers to short-term memory, working memory, and attention.
Integration: Difficulty with both visual and auditory information. Severe reading and spelling problems are often involved.
Organization: Difficulty with following directions and organizing information.
Signs of an Auditory Processing Disorder
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments or when more than one person is speaking
- Frequently asking people to repeat information
- Misunderstanding what has been said
- Needing a longer response time during conversation
- Trouble telling where sounds are coming from
- Problems distinguishing between similar sounds
- Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
- Problems following or comprehending rapid speech or complex directions
- Trouble with learning or enjoying music
Auditory Processing Disorder Treatment
First Coast Brain Builders uses the Buffalo Model to target specific areas of need that are identified during the APD evaluation. The Buffalo Model works directly on skills that are affected by an auditory processing disorder. The therapy is tailored for you or your child, directly targeting the areas of need identified during our evaluations.
Are you or your child struggling with APD? Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Our Office
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166 A1A N, Suite 100
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 - (904) 501-2280
Business Hours
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Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 1:00pm
Walk-in Hours
(Hearing Aid Clean & Checks Only)
Monday - Thursday: 1:00pm - 2:30pm
