Ear Anatomy explaining how the ear works

Your Hearing

How Your Hearing Works

Sound waves travel through your ear and are converted into signals that your brain understands as sound.

Stage 1 - The outer ear
The outer ear collects sound waves and directs them through the ear canal toward the eardrum. The shape of the ear helps capture and channel sound efficiently.

Stage 2 - The middle ear
When sound waves reach the eardrum, they cause it to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted through three tiny bones in the middle ear, commonly known as the hammer, anvil and stirrup. These bones amplify and transfer the vibrations to the inner ear through the oval window.

Stage 3 - The inner ear
The inner ear contains the cochlea, a fluid-filled, spiral-shaped structure. Inside the cochlea, thousands of tiny sensory hair cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals. These signals travel through the auditory nerve to the brain, where they are interpreted as meaningful sounds.

About Hearing Loss

man experiencing difficulty following a conversation in a social setting

Signs and symptoms

Hearing loss often develops gradually and may go unnoticed for some time. The signs can vary from person to person, but some common changes may indicate that it is time to have your hearing checked.

Signs of hearing loss may include:

Asking people to repeat themselves more often than usual
Turning up the volume of the TV or radio
Feeling that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
Finding certain voices, especially those of women or children, more difficult to understand
Struggling to follow conversations, particularly in noisy environments
Feeling tired or frustrated from the extra effort needed to listen
Avoiding social gatherings or activities because conversations have become difficult to follow

Types and causes

There are different types of hearing loss, but most fall into three main categories:

1. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the sensory cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It is the most common type of hearing loss and may be caused by:

Age-related changes
Prolonged or sudden exposure to loud noise
Genetic factors
Certain infections or medical conditions
Some medications and medical treatments
Head injuries

Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent. Depending on the type and degree of hearing loss, hearing aids or other hearing solutions may help improve communication and quality of life.

2. Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot travel efficiently through the outer or middle ear. Possible causes include:

A build-up of earwax
Fluid in the middle ear
Middle ear infections
A perforated eardrum
Problems affecting the bones of the middle ear

Depending on the cause, conductive hearing loss may be temporary or permanent and can sometimes be treated medically or surgically.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. This means that both the inner ear and the outer or middle ear are affected.

The appropriate treatment or hearing solution depends on the cause and degree of hearing loss. A professional hearing evaluation can help determine the type of hearing loss and the most appropriate next steps.

Illustration showing the different types and causes of hearing loss

Steps to better hearing

Do I Need Hearing Aids?

If you are experiencing difficulty hearing conversations, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or struggling to understand speech in noisy environments, it may be time to have your hearing checked.

A professional hearing evaluation can determine whether hearing loss is present, identify its type and degree, and help you understand the solutions available to you.

If hearing aids are recommended, choosing the right solution will depend on several factors, including your hearing needs, lifestyle, preferences and degree of hearing loss.

What Happens Next?

Once hearing loss has been identified, your hearing care professional will discuss the results with you and recommend the most appropriate next steps. These may include hearing aids or other hearing solutions, depending on your individual needs.