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Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
What are forms of hearing loss?
Hearing loss, or deafness, can be
present at birth (congenital), or become evident later in life (acquired). The distinction between acquired and
congenital deafness specifies only the time that the deafness appears. It does
not specify whether the cause of the deafness is genetic (inherited).
Acquired deafness may or may not be genetic. For example, it may be a manifestation of a delayed-onset form of genetic deafness. Alternatively, acquired deafness may be due to damage to the ear from noise.
Congenital deafness similarly may or may not be genetic. For example, it may be associated with a white forelock, and be caused by a genetic disease called Waardenburg syndrome. In fact, more than half of congenital hearing loss is inherited. Alternatively, congenital deafness may be due to a condition or infection to which the mother was exposed during pregnancy, such as the rubella virus.
What are other classifications of hearing loss?
Hearing loss can also be classified based on which portions of the hearing
system (auditory system) are affected. When the nervous system is affected, it
is referred to as sensorineural hearing loss. When the portions of the ear that
are responsible for transmitting the sound to the nerves are affected, it is
referred to as conductive hearing loss.
Conditions affecting the cochlea, eighth cranial nerve, spinal cord, or brain cause sensorineural hearing loss. Examples include:
Conditions that affect the ear canal, eardrum (tympanic membrane), and middle ear lead to conductive hearing loss. Examples of conductive hearing loss include:
What is the treatment for hearing loss?
The treatment of hearing loss depends on its cause. For example:
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