Hear Today. Gone Tomorrow.

Everything you Need to Know About Hearing Loss

hearing test toronto
How We Hear

And Why Hearing is Important

Hearing is arguably the most important of our five major senses. Our sense of hearing alerts us to danger, is vital in learning, allows us to work and relax, and connects us with the things and people around us. Preserving your ability to hear in all stages of your life is essential.

What’s Your Favourite Sound?

Birds Chirping

Crackling Fire

Rain Drops Falling

Children Laughing

Music Playing

Never Stop Hearing

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive
Hearing Loss

Conductive
Hearing Loss

This occurs when problems arise with the structures of the outer or middle ear. Causes can include wax blockages, fluid build-up in the middle ear space (common with ear infections), a hole or tear in the eardrum, and malformations of the outer and middle ear systems. Treatment can include medication, surgery, hearing aids or a combination of them.

Sensorineural
Hearing Loss

Sensorineural
Hearing Loss

This type of hearing loss is caused when the small hair cells in the cochlea are damaged, resulting in ‘nerve-based' hearing loss. Some causes include aging, excessive noise exposure, some medications, and genetic conditions. It is generally permanent and cannot be treated with medication or surgery. However, hearing aids can prove beneficial.

Mixed
Hearing Loss

Mixed
Hearing Loss

This type of hearing loss has both a conductive and sensorineural component. Mixed hearing loss may be partially treated with medication or surgery. It can also be treated with hearing aids.

Sudden
Hearing Loss

Sudden
Hearing Loss

A sudden change in hearing is never normal and must be immediately addressed. It can be caused by wax build-up closing off the ear canal, a viral infection or, worst-case scenario, a brain tumour. It will often affect just one ear and may include tinnitus, dizziness or a feeling of fullness in the ear. If you experience these symptoms, call our audiologists immediately.

Common Causes

You can develop hearing loss from your family genetics, old age, head injuries, illnesses like ear infections, specific medications, and external factors, such as exposure to loud noises. At Toronto Family Hearing, we can offer advice and guidance on how you can prevent hearing loss.

tinnitus treatment toronto
assistive listening devices
Hearing Loss in Adults
There are many causes of hearing loss in adults, including presbycusis (age-related hearing loss), continuous exposure to loud noises, damaged eardrums, various medical conditions and side effects of medications.
Hearing Loss in Children
Many factors can impact your children’s hearing, including genetic disorders, birth complications, untreated ear infections and exposure to loud noise.
hearing clinic toronto

Protect Your Hearing

We’re Happy to Answer All Your Questions

Untreated or mismanaged hearing loss has a profound impact at any age. For example, hearing loss can compromise speech, language, and social development in toddlers, cause poor academic performance in children, account for behavioural issues in teenagers and reduced independence, diminished cognitive function, and cause depression in adults. Knowing where to turn for help is an important first step – our audiologists.

Routine hearing checks provide a history of your hearing health and can help identify problems – sometimes before you are even aware they exist. The sooner you identify a problem, the sooner you can do something about it.

Many people seem to avoid dealing with hearing loss, relying on coping mechanisms instead, like turning up the volume on the TV or avoiding conversations in loud settings such as restaurants. A person with hearing loss may not even realize they are doing this, but their family, friends and co-workers certainly do. If you suspect you or a loved one has hearing issues, contact our clinic today.

Contact our clinic or your physician immediately. Sudden hearing loss can be irreversible without urgent medical care. It will often affect just one ear, and it may be accompanied by tinnitus (a ringing/whooshing/roaring sound in the ear), dizziness or a feeling of fullness in the ear. If you experience these symptoms, call our audiologists immediately. We will try to see you on the same day.