What is deafness and hearing loss?
Hearing Loss - Any type of inability to hear sound
There are four degrees of hearing loss that can be diagnosed using a machine called an audiometer.
Mild: Quieter sounds cannot be heard, this person may have difficulty hearing what people are saying in a conversation
Moderate: Louder sounds cannot be heard
Severe: Very loud sounds like airplanes passing overhead can be heard, but other sounds cannot be heard
Profound: Very loud sounds cannot be heard
Deaf - This term is generally used when a person has profound hearing loss. When the degree of the hearing loss unknown, the person with the hearing loss is also generally referred to as deaf.
Information from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172
There are four degrees of hearing loss that can be diagnosed using a machine called an audiometer.
Mild: Quieter sounds cannot be heard, this person may have difficulty hearing what people are saying in a conversation
Moderate: Louder sounds cannot be heard
Severe: Very loud sounds like airplanes passing overhead can be heard, but other sounds cannot be heard
Profound: Very loud sounds cannot be heard
Deaf - This term is generally used when a person has profound hearing loss. When the degree of the hearing loss unknown, the person with the hearing loss is also generally referred to as deaf.
Information from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172
What causes hearing loss?
http://4a4b.wikispaces.com/0+Listenings
If any part of the ear (refer to the diagram below) is not working or blocked, the result is hearing loss.
There are many reasons for the ear to function incorrectly.
Birth - some children are born with hearing loss and no other cause is known
Disease - high fevers caused by diseases such as Meningitis can cause damage the ear
Medications - some medications such as quinine can cause damage to the ear
Blockage - any blockage to the inner ear such as a closed pinna or ear canal can block the sound getting to the inner ear
Information from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172/DSECTION=causes
There are many reasons for the ear to function incorrectly.
Birth - some children are born with hearing loss and no other cause is known
Disease - high fevers caused by diseases such as Meningitis can cause damage the ear
Medications - some medications such as quinine can cause damage to the ear
Blockage - any blockage to the inner ear such as a closed pinna or ear canal can block the sound getting to the inner ear
Information from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172/DSECTION=causes
The Human Ear
The human ear has 3 parts:
OUTER EAR: This is the outer part of the ear that can be seen. It includes the Pinna and ear canal.
MIDDLE EAR: This is the Tympanic membrane (ear drum), and three bones known as Ossicles (Malleus, Incus, and Stapes.
INNER EAR: This is the Cochlea, Semicircular canals, Vestibular nerve, and Cochlear nerve.
OUTER EAR: This is the outer part of the ear that can be seen. It includes the Pinna and ear canal.
MIDDLE EAR: This is the Tympanic membrane (ear drum), and three bones known as Ossicles (Malleus, Incus, and Stapes.
INNER EAR: This is the Cochlea, Semicircular canals, Vestibular nerve, and Cochlear nerve.
