Sounds of different pitch and volume are being transmitted from our ears to the auditory canal by nerves which is interpreted by the brain. This is called the hearing process. Today the leadind disability in the world is hearing loss. There are many factors that leads to this disability. Heredity, aging, environmental factors, diseases, and loud noises.

The fact of the matter is that hearing loss is more prevalent in men than in women. The sad news is that in teens and young children the incidence rate of hearing loss is about 15 in every 1000. Hearing impairment in individuals who are aged 80 and above has reached an alarming 90 percent.

Sound characterization is in terms of frequency and intensity. The unit of measurement in fequency is expressed in Hertz while in intensity it is expressed in Decibels. The normal range of frequency is between 20-20,000 Hertz but in intensity the normal range is from 0-140 Db. Every word or sound that we make have a different frequency and intensity which the brain interprets as either language, noise, music, and the like.

The types of hearing loss is classified as conductive or sensorinueral. Inner ear infections, accumulation of fluid in the middle ear, excessive wax, damage to the eardrum by infection or an injury, or otosclerosis are the more common causes of a conductive hearing loss and this is usually temporary. The more permanent hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss, injury to the inner ear hair cells as a result of trauma or noise, abnormal pressure in the inner ear, stroke, benign lesions, and brain tumors are among the common causes of this hearing loss.

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