Types of hearing loss

There are many other types of hearing loss you can experience, including:

1. Noise induced hearing loss - Noise induced hearing loss occurs when the structures of the inner ear, are damaged by noise that is beyond safe levels. It may be the result of an intense one-off exposure or prolonged exposure. Noise induced hearing loss may be gradual, permanent or temporary. If you have worked in a noisy environment and have noise induced hearing loss you may be eligible for ACC funding.
   
   
2. High frequency hearing loss - High frequency hearing loss is where people have trouble hearing sounds between 2,000 and 8,000 Hertz. The condition often occurs when there is damage to the cells within the cochlea from noise, aging, genetics, noise exposure, illness or other environmental factors.
   
   
3. Unilateral hearing loss - Unilateral hearing loss is found in only one ear, with the other ear generally unaffected. It may be congenital or acquired at any point in a person’s life, with the degree of hearing loss ranging from mild to profound.
   
   
4. Hearing loss after ear infection - Hearing loss after an ear infection may or may not be permanent, depending on the severity of the infection. An ear infection is a form of conductive hearing loss, but it can have a lasting impact on hearing if left untreated.

May only notice increased difficulty hearing in situations of background noise.

Difficulty hearing softly spoken people or children, or soft sounds in the environment such as your footsteps or your clothes rustling.

Can hear loud vowel sounds but may miss soft consonant sounds.

Significant difficulty hearing softly spoken people, missing a range of environmental sounds such as the telephone ringing. 

Can miss consonant sounds, and vowel sounds are more difficult to hear. As a result, speech sounds unclear or mumbled.

Friends and family may be commenting on your hearing.

Significant difficulty hearing speech at any level, and nearly all environmental sounds are inaudible. 

May be consciously or subconsciously relying on lip-reading to help with communication

Hearing aids are necessary to understand speech, but you are still likely to have difficulty in background noise.

Unable to hear very loud sounds like aeroplane engines, traffic or fire alarms.

Even with hearing aids, speech may be difficult to understand if the speaker is not facing you and speaking clearly in a quiet environment.