Perceived hearing loss is not always caused by inner hair cell damage or recorded on an audiogram.
The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Institute report that 10% of their patients have hidden hearing loss.
Hidden hearing loss or cochlear synaptopathy occurs when there is a perceived hearing loss by the patient in the presence of a normal audiogram. Although the detection of sound is present, there is a loss of synapse at the level of the inner hair cell and auditory nerve. This misfiring results in a fragmented signal being delivered to the brain and the perception of not being able to focus or hear well in background noise. We appreciate the opportunity to go beyond the test result and give your patients comprehensive care and the rehabilitative options they deserve. Thank you for continuing to partner with us.
Enjoy this month’s article by Kennedy et. al., When a normal hearing test is just the beginning.
