Hearing Loss; what is it, why is this happening and what can you can do about it.
One of the worst parts of having Meniere’s disease, can be the hearing loss that is associated with it. It is usually just in one ear and the loss of hearing can be very disorienting. For some people, it could be a sudden hearing loss and for others it may be a gradual loss.
Hearing Loss or Impaired Hearing
The definition is “the total or partial inability to hear sound in one or both ears”.
- Hearing loss affects over 30 million people in North America.
With the previous explanation about how hearing works, the hearing loss or hearing imbalance (hearing loss in one ear), should make more sense. It can be suggested that if impairment is present, then balance is not.
In order for our electrical impulses to reach the brain, both vestibular systems (one in each ear) must be functioning properly. Balance means both parts are working equally well.
If they are not, then imbalance occurs. This shows up as dizziness or vertigo which are also more symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
There are different types of hearing loss that you should be aware of. However, these may not be applicable to your present situation. It is still worth knowing about these just in case these come up in a conversation with your doctor;
- Sensorineural hearing loss
- Congenital hearing loss
- Occupational hearing loss, which may be noise induced
- Conductive hearing loss
- High frequency hearing loss
Hearing: how it works
The two functions of the ear are to capture sounds and relay them to the brain and get interpretation. It is also responsible for balance.
Sound waves are received in the outer ear. They are passed through the tympanic membrane, coming out as vibrations. They then pass over the three bones (ossicles) to the cochlea, stirring up waves in the fluid.
This motion moves the hair-like sensory receptors. The message is translated into electrical impulses, which are sent to the brain via the auditory nerve. (The brain can only “read” electrical impulses.)
The brain returns an “interpretation”: saying that this was a sound, and it was this intense and this loud.
Groups Of Deafness / Hearing Impairments / Hearing Loss
There are many groupings of deafness or hearing impairments. Two kinds are conductive and sensorineural. Sometimes both are impaired, but often it is just one. In some people both ears are involved, but for most, it is just one ear.
Conductive impairment is about the mechanics of the transmission of the sound waves. This can happen when the ossicles can’t conduct sound to the inner ear. It can also happen when the eardrum (tympanic membrane) is blocked by excess fluid or is bulging under pressure.
This is often reparable once the underlying cause is dealt with. The sensorineural deafness / hearing impairment involves the hair sensors and they may be damaged. These are usually not reparable.
Here are several excellent articles on sensorineural deafness;
- Encyclopedia Britannica; Sensorineural Deafness
Causes of Hearing Loss
There are many causes, tinnitus is usually one of the major causes. It is described as a ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ear.
Generally, there is no specific treatment for tinnitus. It is a symptom of another underlying condition. If this cause can be identified, it may reduce or eliminate tinnitus.
It is interesting to note that some of the causes of tinnitus are also causes of hearing loss or hearing impairment:
- damage to the nerve endings in the inner ear
- stiffening of bones in the middle ear
- exposure to loud noises
- head or neck injury
How To Live With Hearing Loss
In most cases, two things happen.
- The hearing loss is corrected and the problem disappears.
- Eventually they learn to look to themselves for happiness and fulfillment. They accept themselves and find they are actually grateful for the challenge. (A lot of people with Meniere’s disease develop a wonderful sense of humor and have great understanding of our human frailties.)
Most will have already had a chance to participate in counseling.
Other aids could be;
- Hearing aids: there are so many different styles and mechanisms around now.
- People also need to learn to stand in such a way so that the person with hearing loss is able to see and read their lips or watch their facial expressions.
- A quiet, relaxed environment is crucial.
- Background noise must be reduced to an acceptable level.
- Stress also must be understood and dealt with.
- The family attitude is very important. If the person experiencing hearing loss is accepted and welcome, the situation will be relaxed and life is much easier for everyone.
- It’s always wise to remember that this person didn’t want to have hearing loss or hearing impairment.
A very basic explanation of how the ear works.
Normal Hearing:
The Ear (For a layman’s understanding)
The normal ear has three basic parts:
- The outer ear
- The middle ear
- The inner ear
The dividing point between the outer and middle ear is the tympanic membrane, a sheet-like structure. The middle ear houses three tiny bones “ossicles” that are linked together.
The inner ear is made up of two systems: auditory and vestibular. The cochlea is a snail shaped structure and it is filled with fluid and has hair-like sensory receptors.
- It is connected to the brain via the auditory (hearing) nerve.
- It is responsible for hearing.
The inner ear also houses the vestibular system, which is a network of tubes and sacs. It also has hair-like sensory receptors.
- It is connected to the brain via the vestibular nerve.
- It is responsible for balance.
Balance:
The dictionary defines “balance” as a state of equilibrium, harmonious arrangement, equal distribution.
This is what the body is trying to accomplish. It coordinates all these systems so we stay” right side up”. Each system contributes its specific “expertise”. If one isn’t working correctly, or is impaired, we will experience dizziness or lightheadedness, which are also both symptoms of Meniere’s disease.
How balance works:
There are three individual systems (visual, vestibular, sensory) involved. Each must work with the other two in order to create balance/harmony.
Visual System; It makes us aware of our surroundings: whether we are standing up or sitting or lying down: in relation to what else is happening. It orientates us to our actual position.
Vestibular System; It is located in the inner ear (cochlea). It is filled with fluid, and has sensory receptors. It helps us to interpret linear and rotational movements, such as stopping and running. It adjusts as necessary. This is why Meniere’s disease may also be referred to as a vestibular condition.
Sensory System:
Is responsible for the activities of our movements. It will receive messages from the brain to give the eyes direction as well as the muscles and joints to carry out the required tasks. It also adjusts as needed.
This helps to understand the need and the significance for the different diagnostic tests for hearing loss and Meniere’s disease. It also stresses the importance of having conclusive test results and qualified specialists to explain the results.
Hearing fluctuation and hearing loss may be connected, but they are not the same thing. We have an article here on the differences between these two conditions. We also have an article on ear pain or inner ear pressure if you are also suffering from this and would like to know more.
- If you would like a copy of our Meniere’s Disease Study Guide, please click here. This guide is a step by step journey exploring your symptoms and what may be causing them.
- If you would like more information on the system that David, and numerous others, have used, please click here; What Finally Worked.
- If you have any health questions or concerns, please feel free to Contact Us and we will be happy to share our knowledge and ideas with you.
Karin Henderson, Retired Nurse
(604) 463-8666 – Pacific Standard Time