Neubio's Bold Series - Why the name Bold?
Because it perfectly captures our mission to empower children with our technology to be bold, to chase their dreams fearlessly. Bold...
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Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss
Mixed Hearing Loss
A Sensorineural Hearing Loss occurs when the inner ear or the auditory nerve has a problem in functioning and delivering sounds to the brain. Either damaged small hair-like cells of the inner ear or the auditory nerve weakens the smooth transference of nerve signals to the brain.4 It is an extremely common type of hearing loss that also is permanent. The sensorineural hearing loss could be genetic, congenital idiopathic, or resulting from several medical conditions. Common causes of this type of hearing loss are: -Illnesses -Aging -Head injury -Problem in the formation of the inner ear -Meningitis -Mal formation of cochlea -Inner hair cell dysfunction
A conductive hearing loss can happen when sounds do not get through the outer and middle ear. It becomes challenging to hear soft sounds whereas louder sounds can be obstructed. Excessive ear wax, ear infections, a penetrated eardrum, a built-up fluid, or an unusual bone growth in the middle ear can cause conductive hearing loss.2 Often, medicine or a surgery can cure this kind of hearing loss. An audiologist must be consulted for accurate professional advice and treatment options.
In this type, there is both a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss. This happens when there is damage in the middle or the outer ear and in the inner ear or the auditory nerve pathway.
Degrees of Hearing Loss
26-40dB
A child with this degree of hearing loss will have difficulty hearing and comprehending speech that is spoken in a soft tone, from a distance, or against a background of noise.
41-60dB
A child with this level of hearing loss will have difficulty in hearing and comprehending speech that is spoken in a low volume, from a distance, or with background noise
61-80dB
A child with this level of hearing loss may only be able to hear very loud speech or loud sounds in the environment, such as a fire truck siren or a slamming door. They will likely have difficulty hearing most everyday conversational speech.
over 81dB
A child with profound hearing loss may experience loud sounds as vibrations, but will have difficulty in hearing and understanding speech.
Early detection of hearing loss is crucial in providing the best opportunity for a child's overall development. By identifying and addressing hearing loss early, children are given the chance to reach their full potential, particularly in terms of language development. Research shows that the first three years of a child's life are crucial in developing speech and language skills. Therefore, it is important to evaluate whether a child has a degree of hearing loss in order to provide the best possible outcome for their development.
Ignoring hearing loss can have a significant impact on a child's development, not only in terms of language acquisition but also in terms of emotional well-being. Children who experience difficulties with communication may experience stress, anger and feelings of loneliness.
What are the signs?
Infants & Children
A baby of 12 months- 23 months of age with profound hearing loss. A child over 2 years with severe to profound hearing loss
Adults
Adults that have Moderately Severe to Profound hearing loss. Open-set sentence recognition scores less than or equal to 50-60%
Know if your child is a candidate
Does your child have a delay in his/her speech and/or language skills? Does your child have difficulty interacting and communicating with same-age peers? Does your child show a delay in reading acquisition and/or reading fluency? Does your child show irritation with poor communication results at home, school, or social settings?
I am an adult candidate
It is challenging for me to follow conversations without lip reading. I struggle to hear properly in a noisy environment or a group as compared to hearing in a quiet surroundings. It is difficult for me to follow most of my telephone conversations. I find it difficult to follow conversations or noises in situations where lip reading is not available. I separate myself socially as the effort to listen and understand is overwhelming & irritating.
If you suspect that your child may have hearing loss, don't delay in seeking professional help.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step towards addressing your child's hearing loss.
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is a medical device that is surgically implanted into the ear to help individuals with severe to profound hearing loss. The implant consists of two parts: an external microphone and speech processor that sits behind the ear and an internal device called an electrode array that is surgically implanted into the cochlea (the part of the inner ear responsible for hearing). The microphone and speech processor work together to convert sound into electrical signals, which are then sent to the electrode array, stimulating the auditory nerve and allowing the individual to hear sound. Cochlear implants have been proven to be effective in improving hearing and speech understanding in people with severe to profound hearing loss. It is important to consult with a hearing health professional to determine if a cochlear implant is a right option for you or your child.
Internal Unit (Implant)
The internal unit of the cochlear implant platform, also known as the internal implant, is surgically placed within the ear. It consists of an electrode array which is positioned within the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for hearing. The electrode array is responsible for stimulating the auditory nerve, allowing the individual to hear sound. The internal implant also has a receiver, which receives the electric signals from the external unit and sends them to the electrodes. Neubio's implant is completely free from electronics and it is designed to be in close contact with the electrode array. This is important for the implant to work properly, as the electrodes need to be in close proximity to the auditory nerve in order to effectively stimulate it and allow the individual to hear sound.
External Unit (Sound Processor)
The external unit of the cochlear implant platform is the sound processing unit, which includes a battery pack and a sound processor. The sound processor houses an in-built microphone and utilizes advanced technology that utilizes unique algorithms to provide a pure and natural sound experience. The microphone captures the sound from the environment, which then is processed by the unit's sound processor, converting the sound into electrical signals that are sent to the internal implant, the electrode array. This allows the user to hear sound with a high level of clarity and naturalness. The external unit is also rechargeable or may have replaceable batteries, depending on the manufacturer's design. It is important to note that the external unit must be worn consistently and properly to ensure optimal performance of the cochlear implant system.
Unilateral Implant
While a unilateral cochlear implant can provide access to hearing, having two cochlear implants, also known as bilateral cochlear implantation, offers numerous benefits. If you are considering a cochlear implant and you want to experience the benefits of bilateral implantation, please contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards improving your hearing and overall quality of life.
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Causes of hearing Loss
Age-Related
As people age, the cells in the inner ear that are responsible for detecting sound can deteriorate, leading to hearing loss.
Genetic
Hearing loss can be inherited from parents. Some genetic conditions, such as Usher syndrome, can cause both hearing loss and vision loss.
Ototoxic Drugs
Certain medications, such as certain antibiotics and cancer treatments, can damage the inner ear and cause hearing loss.
Infection & Diseases
Chronic ear infections can lead to hearing loss, particularly in children. Certain diseases such as Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, and autoimmune disorders can lead to hearing loss.
Trauma
Head injuries or other traumatic events can cause hearing loss.
Congenital
Some people are born with hearing loss, which may be caused by genetic or environmental factors, it could be due to lack of proper prenatal care, infections during pregnancy.
Talk to us
Not all of these issues are avoidable, but some can be prevented or treated. Some genetic hearing loss can be diagnosed with genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis. And some diseases that can cause hearing loss can be treated with medication or surgery. However, early identification and intervention for hearing loss can help prevent further deterioration and improve outcomes for those who have hearing loss.
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