What will happen after the hearing assessment?
There can be a number of outcomes from the hearing assessment, based on the results and information you have given us:
- If you do not have a hearing loss you will be discharged from the audiology service.
- If you have a hearing loss that is suitable for hearing aids a hearing aid fitting will be arranged. We will offer a choice of colours. The style will depend on your hearing loss.
- If you have a hearing loss that is not suitable for hearing aids you may need a referral to another professional such as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Types of hearing loss
There are three main types of hearing loss depending on the area of the auditory pathway that has been affected. The three main types include;
Sensori-neural hearing loss
This type of hearing loss can be caused by damage or a defect of the inner part of the ear. This may be due to natural wear and tear, noise exposure, congenital, genetic or viral.
A sensori-neural hearing loss is usually a permanent hearing loss and in most cases surgical or medical intervention cannot restore the hearing.
Conductive hearing loss
This type of hearing loss can be caused by damage or a defect of the outer or middle part of the ear. This may be due to a number of causes including malformation of the ear, wax, infection or middle ear effusion (fluid).
This type of hearing loss affects the transmission of the sound from the outer ear through the middle ear and in to the inner ear. In most cases, a conductive hearing loss can be successfully treated by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant.
Mixed hearing loss
This type of hearing loss is a mixture of a sensori-neural hearing loss with an element of conductive hearing loss.
In most cases, if ENT intervention is not possible, hearing aids can be fitted.