{"id":7293,"date":"2021-08-06T16:04:55","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T23:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arizonahearing.com\/?p=7293"},"modified":"2022-06-07T12:40:10","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T19:40:10","slug":"what-is-hidden-hearing-loss-how-is-it-treated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arizonahearing.com\/what-is-hidden-hearing-loss-how-is-it-treated\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Hidden Hearing Loss & How Is It Treated?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Hidden hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that isn\u2019t detectable with a traditional hearing test. Many people with hidden hearing loss<\/a> become frustrated because they frequently misunderstand people and cannot hear well in background noise but produce a normal audiogram. Below we review what exactly hidden hearing loss is and how it\u2019s treated.<\/p>\n Hidden hearing loss is usually caused exposure to loud noise.<\/p>\n In most cases of sensorineural hearing loss, the tiny hair cells within the inner ear that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound \u2013 known as stereocilia \u2013 are what is damaged.<\/p>\n However, in cases of hidden hearing loss<\/a>, it is not the hair cells that are damaged, but rather the fibers of the auditory nerve, which is the passageway for sound from the ears to the brain. In this case, the brain is receiving a compromised sound signal.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, there are no established guidelines for diagnosing hidden hearing loss. However, some signs to look out for include:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re exhibiting the signs of hearing loss, your audiologist will first conduct a standard hearing test. If the audiogram \u2013 which is a visual representation of your hearing loss \u2013 appears normal, they can then conduct a speech-in-noise test. This involves listening to and repeating back sentences that are played or uttered over various levels of background noise.<\/p>\n Another test that is used to diagnose hidden hearing loss is Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing. This type of test entails placing electrodes on the head and monitoring the auditory nerve\u2019s response to sounds that are played through headphones.<\/p>\n Hidden hearing loss is treated with the use of hearing aids. Low-gain hearing aids with background noise suppression have been shown to be especially effective for this type of hearing loss.<\/p>\n For more information about hidden hearing loss or to schedule an evaluation with an audiologist<\/a>, call Arizona Hearing Specialists today.<\/p>\nWhat Causes Hidden Hearing Loss?<\/h2>\n
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What Are the Symptoms of Hidden Hearing Loss?<\/h2>\n
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How Is Hidden Hearing Loss Diagnosed?<\/h2>\n
How Is Hidden Hearing Loss Treated?<\/h2>\n