When it comes to hearing loss and hearing problems, there is a lot of terminology to get to grips with. People often use the terms, hard of hearing, and deafness interchangeably but they are also used to mean different things. This can make it tricky to establish exactly how your hearing function is defined and what your diagnosis really is. 

Read on to learn more about the difference between being hard of hearing and going deaf and find out how your own hearing loss can be defined.

Are you hard of hearing? 

The phrase, hard of hearing, is often used when people have some level of hearing loss. Typically, people describe themselves as hard of hearing when they have mild-to-moderate hearing loss. For most people, being hard of hearing means having some natural hearing function that remains. 

Generally, people who are hard of hearing can communicate via speech, although they may require significant amplification to achieve this to a decent level. 

What is deafness?

Many people assume that deafness relates to a complete loss of hearing. In the medical community, however, deafness can refer to a total, or profound, loss of hearing or the inability to understand speech via hearing. 

If hearing tests show you are unable to hear sounds at 90 decibels or below, for example, it’s likely you have profound hearing loss or deafness. 

Are you going deaf or hard of hearing? 

The only way to determine whether you are hard of hearing or going deaf is to have your hearing tested by a qualified audiologist. By assessing your hearing function and ruling out temporary causes of hearing loss, an audiologist can provide a comprehensive diagnosis of your hearing function. 

While some people find it important to define their hearing problems according to medical terms, others are more concerned with the impact their hearing loss has on their day-to-day life. If you are medically hard of hearing but feel more comfortable identifying yourself as part of the deaf community, you may describe yourself as deaf, for example. 

Similarly, you may have been diagnosed with profound loss of hearing, or deafness, but prefer to describe yourself as hard of hearing. If you use amplification devices to amplify sounds and engage in conversations, for example, you may find the term hard of hearing is more suited to your needs. 

In reality, strict terminology is only really necessary in a medical setting. By diagnosing your hearing function in this way, audiologists can compile an accurate medical history and offer you appropriate treatment. 

How is hearing function assessed?

The most used test to assess hearing function is the audiogram. This is a non-invasive test that assesses your hearing function by exposing you to different types of sounds at varying volumes. An audiologist will chart your hearing function and identify hearing loss according to the results. 

However, other hearings tests are often used to assess hearing function and diagnose hearing problems too. These may include:

  • Bone conduction tests
  • Acoustic reflex testing
  • Tympanometry
  • Otoacoustic emissions
  • Auditory brainstem response

Depending on your reported symptoms and audiogram results, further testing may not be needed to diagnose your hearing problems. However, consulting an audiologist ensures you will have access to the full suite of hearing tests and treatments, should they be needed. 

Can hearing loss be cured? 

People who are experiencing hearing loss often want to know whether it can be cured. This will depend on the cause of your hearing problems. If your hearing function is reduced due to a build-up of wax on the ear canal, its removal may resolve your hearing problems completely. Similarly, if a virus is causing temporary hearing loss, your hearing function may revert to normal once you recover. 

In contrast, some hearing problems are irreversible, which means they unfortunately cannot be cured. Age-related hearing loss can’t be cured, and typically worsens over time. However, this doesn’t mean that your hearing function can’t be enhanced. Whether you are deaf or hard of hearing, there are numerous ways your auditory experience can be improved, even if your condition cannot be cured. 

Advanced technology has made amplification devices more effective than ever before. With the right treatment options, you may find that your hearing function can be improved significantly by wearing the right device. 

To learn more about hearing problems and the range of treatments available, contact Hearing Aid Consultants of North Mississippi today at (662) 234-1337. We’re here to help.