Imagine a world of silence

There are three main types of hearing loss;

• conductive
  
• sensorineural and
  
• mixed hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss

The good news is conductive hearing loss can often be helped by medical or surgical treatment.

Conductive hearing loss can be caused by;

• blockages of the ear canal by wax or foreign objects,
  
• perforation of the ear drum
• outer and middle ear infections
• malformations of the outer or middle ear
  

In developing countries up to 6% of children under the age of 10 suffer from chronic otitis media - middle ear infections. If it is not treated early, only an operation may be able to prevent severe hearing impairment.

A hereditary condition called otosclerosis where the bone grows around the tiny stirrup bones in the middle ear can also cause conductive hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is a loss of loudness and a loss of clarity caused by damage or malfunction of the cochlea or the hearing nerve.

The quantity and the quality of sound are affected and may limit the benefit of a hearing aid.

Causes can range from aging, excessive noise exposure, diseases and viruses such as meningitis, mumps and measles or even head injuries.

Babies can be born with sensorineural hearing loss caused by birth trauma, rubella and jaundice. Sensorineural hearing loss can also be hereditary.

Mixed hearing loss occurs when there is a problem in both the outer or middle ear, and the inner ear.

Lisnati’s Story

Like most teenager’s Lisnati loves playing with her friends.

But Lisnati often doesn’t have the chance to. Not because she is so busy with school or socialising, but because most people in her community call her nasty.

You see, Listnati was born deaf and is unable to communicate. In fact because of the attitudes of her community, Listnati wasn't allowed to go to school.

Her friends don’t understand her disability and she lives isolated with an unfair reputation.

But thanks to CBM she won’t be cut off from her peers for much longer.

After two years of rehabilitation, Lisnati can remarkably pronounce a few words.

Even though she will always have a hearing impairment, the attitudes of her community are changing. Lisnati is now going to school.

Facts about hearing impairment

• Hearing impairment is considered the most prevalent impairment – almost 600 million, an estimated 10 % of people worldwide have mild or worse hearing impairment. 250 million have moderate or worse hearing impairment. Two thirds of them live in developing countries.
• Illnesses that are less common in industrialised countries often lead to widespread damaged hearing or complete hearing loss in developing countries, where health workers and access to health care are scarce and often the population is less informed.
• Hearing impairment in childhood can have severe consequences for the development of speech, language and cognitive skills. Hearing impaired children in developing countries often do not have access to any form of education
• Also, if occurring at later stages in life, hearing impairment may lead to difficulties in obtaining and in keeping work. Many persons with hearing impairment find it difficult to take part in conversations, therefore they may easily be isolated or excluded from social interaction.

For more information about hearing impairment visit the World Health Organisation