Journal of Phonetics & Audiology
Open Access

Brief Note on Diagnosis of Hearing Loss in Humans

Lucero Kaspar^{* *}Correspondence: Lucero Kaspar, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, United States, Email:

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Description

A partial or total inability to hear is referred to as hearing loss. Hearing loss can occur later in life or be present at birth. In an individual’s hearing loss can take place in one or both ears. Hearing abnormalities in children can affect their ability to learn spoken language, and in adults, they can cause social and occupational challenges. Hearing loss caused by ageing often affects both ears and is caused by the loss of cochlear hair cells. Hearing loss can cause loneliness in certain people, especially the elderly. Hearing loss is common among deaf persons. Temporary and permanent hearing losses are the two types of hearing loss.

Diagnosis

A general practitioner medical doctor, certified and licensed audiologist, otolaryngologist, industrial or school audiometrist, or other audiometric technician will usually diagnose a hearing loss. A specialist physician (audiovestibular physician) or an otorhinolaryngologist diagnoses the source of hearing loss.

Hearing loss is typically assessed by playing generated or recorded sounds and assessing whether or not the individual can hear them. The frequency of sounds influences hearing sensitivity. Hearing sensitivity can be assessed for a variety of frequencies and plotted on an audiogram to account for this. A hearing test utilizing a mobile application or a hearing aid application that includes a hearing test is another approach for assessing hearing loss. Using a mobile application to diagnose hearing loss is similar to using an audiometer. Hearing aid applications can be adjusted using audiograms collected from mobile applications. A speech-in-noise test, which determines how well one can interpret speech in a noisy environment, is another way to measure hearing loss. The otoacoustic emissions test is an objective hearing test for toddlers and children who are too young to cooperate in a traditional hearing exam. Auditory brainstem response testing is an electrophysiological test that is used to diagnose hearing loss caused by pathology within the ear, cochlear nerve, and brainstem. A case history (typically in the form of a written form with a questionnaire) might provide important details about the context of the hearing loss and help determine which diagnostic methods to use. Otoscopy, tympanometry, and Weber, Rinne, Bing, and Schwabach tests are among the procedures performed. Blood or other bodily fluids may be sent to a laboratory for analysis in the case of infection or inflammation. Many causes of hearing loss can benefit from MRI and CT scans to pinpoint the disease.

The severity, nature, and configuration of hearing loss are all classified. Furthermore, hearing loss can affect only one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, and it can occur suddenly or gradually. The degree of a hearing loss is determined by the ranges of nominal thresholds below which a sound must be audible for an individual to perceive it. The decibels of Hearing Loss (dB HL), are used to measure it. Conduction hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss are the three basic types of hearing loss. Auditory processing disorder, which is not a hearing loss but rather a difficulty perceiving sound, is another issue that is becoming more widely recognized. A Carhart notch for otosclerosis, a noise notch for noise-induced damage, a high frequency rolloff for presbycusis, or a flat audiogram for conductive hearing loss, for example, show the relative arrangement of the hearing loss. It may suggest a central auditory processing issue or the presence of a schwannoma or other tumor when used in conjunction with speech audiometry.

People with unilateral hearing loss, often known as Single-Sided Deafness (SSD), have trouble hearing conversations on their affected side, recognizing sound, and interpreting speech in noisy environments. The head shadow effect is one cause of the hearing issues these people frequently have.