Hearing is not only a sense that can help you to communicate with the world around you. It serves as a warning sign that lets you know if you have an underlying condition in your body affecting your hearing. Undergoing regular hearing exams can allow you to be alerted of any problems while they're small so that you can get them successfully treated before they get worse.

Passing Doesn't Always Rule Out Issues

It takes a lot of guts to head to your audiologist to get a hearing test. It can feel devastating if you're experiencing issues with your hearing, but your results showed that you passed the test. You may have what is referred to as hidden hearing loss. This is a type of hearing loss that happens deep within the ear. It affects the connection between your brain and your cochlear.

In this situation, there is nothing physically wrong with the ear itself. Rather, the issue is with the nerve signal that isn't transported correctly. Most patients with hidden hearing loss find that their hearing works fine sometimes and has issues other times. There's no consistent signaling issue, which makes it more challenging to diagnose.

How is This Possible?

Many people are confused about how they can pass a standard hearing test while still having hidden hearing loss. The answer lies within how the test is performed. Most people with hidden hearing loss are fully capable of hearing sounds. The problem comes with how these sounds are processed.

In many cases, people with hidden hearing loss can tell you that they heard a sound. However, they can't identify the sound accurately. With a standard hearing test, you're simply asked to signal when you hear a sound. So, yes, you can hear a sound. However, you may not be able to know exactly what that sound is.

Inner Ear Damage Diagnosis

Another condition a person could experience that alters their hearing ability while still being able to pass a standard audiogram is inner ear damage. When there is extensive damage to the sensitive structures in your inner ear, your body adapts. It does this by amplifying the nerve signal sent from your inner ear to your brain.

Similarly, in this type of situation, the sufferer can hear sounds. However, they have difficulty interpreting them. This is why a common symptom of inner ear damage is difficulty understanding conversations. Since you're still able to hear sounds, you'll pass a standard audiogram even though you have a hearing issue.

Undergoing a Comprehensive Hearing Test

If you've passed a regular hearing test and still have difficulty hearing, you'll want to undergo a comprehensive hearing test. Standard audiograms are considered narrow tests. Comprehensive exams work to investigate your actual ability to interpret the sounds that you hear. It's composed of more than just pure tones.

Call Us Today

If you're struggling with hearing loss and haven't been able to get appropriate treatment, then give us a call at Beltone Dallas Fort Worth today. Our helpful hearing care specialists will be happy to assist you with your hearing care needs.