சைன்வேவ் ஹியர ிங்
செல்வத்துள் செல்வம் செவிச்செல்வம் அச்செல்வம்
செல்வத்துள் எல்லாம் தலை
Hearing loss
Hearing loss is the loss of hearing in one or both ears, ranging from mild to profound. There are many causes, and it can affect anyone at any age, but it's most common among people older than 60.
According to WHO (2018) data, the prevalence of hearing impairment (HI) in India is around 6.3% (63 million people suffering from significant auditory loss). The estimated prevalence of adult-onset deafness in India is 7.6% and childhood-onset deafness is 2%.
Hearing loss and deafness
A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears – is said to have hearing loss. Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe, or profound. It can affect one ear or both ears and leads to difficulty in hearing conversational speech or loud sounds.
'Hard of hearing' refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. People who are hard of hearing usually communicate through spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices as well as captioning.
'Deaf' people mostly have profound hearing loss, which implies very little or no hearing. They often use sign language for communication.
Causes of hearing loss and deafness
Although these factors can be encountered at different periods across the life span, individuals are most susceptible to their effects during critical periods in life.
Prenatal Period
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Genetic factors - Include hereditary and non-hereditary hearing loss
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Intrauterine infections – such as rubella and cytomegalovirus infection
Perinatal period
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Birth asphyxia (a lack of oxygen at the time of birth
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Hyperbilirubinemia (severe jaundice in the neonatal period)
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Low-birth weight
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Other perinatal morbidities and their management
Childhood and adolescence
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Chronic ear infections (chronic suppurative otitis media)
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Collection of fluid in the ear (chronic nonsuppurative otitis media)
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Meningitis and other infections
Adulthood and older age
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Chronic diseases
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Smoking
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Otosclerosis
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Age-related sensorineural degeneration
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Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Factors across the life span
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Cerumen impaction (impacted ear wax)
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Trauma to the ear or head
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Loud noise/loud sounds
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Ototoxic medicines
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Work related ototoxic chemicals
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Nutritional deficiencies
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Viral infections and other ear conditions
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Delayed onset or progressive genetic hearing loss
The degree of hearing loss can range from mild to profound:
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Mild Hearing Loss
A person with mild hearing loss may hear some speech sounds but soft sounds are hard to hear. -
Moderate Hearing Loss
A person with moderate hearing loss may hear almost no speech when another person is talking at a normal level. -
Severe Hearing Loss
A person with severe hearing loss will hear no speech when a person is talking at a normal level and only some loud sounds.
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Profound Hearing Loss
A person with a profound hearing loss will not hear any speech and only very loud sounds.
