Auditory Damage

The human auditory system's primary function is to detect sound. When the auditory system is damaged it usually leads to some form of hearing loss.

The auditory function is based peripherally in the cochlea; which is a coiled duct that consists of nerve fibers and specialized cells. The length of the human cochlea is about 30-millimeters and the cells along its length are designed to detect a variety of sound frequencies and levels. High frequency sounds are detected at the base of this coil; while mid-frequency sounds are detected in the middle of the coil and low frequency sounds are detected at the end or apex of the coil.

Children learn to mimic sounds for developing speech during their first four years of life. For this reason it's important that any hearing impairments are detected early. By itself, the auditory cochlea isn't very useful in detecting sound without an intact and properly working cranial nerve VIII, nuclei of the brain stem and neurons of the cortex. If any of these components fail to perform their jobs it will cause damage to the auditory function. This damage may often lead to sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss.

Some types of auditory damage can often result in problems beyond hearing loss. Ringing in the ears is an auditory system pathology; which is commonly known as tinnitus, a symptom that often accompanies a loss of hearing. Many medical researchers believe that tinnitus is caused by damage suffered by the auditory nerve endings in the cochlea. The most common cause of this type of hearing problem is excessive exposure to loud noise. However, normal aging and assorted infections may also cause tinnitus.

Although there isn't a definite cure for tinnitus, high volume white noise, such as static, can often be used to mask the constant and disturbing ringing in your ears.

Common types of auditory damage that medical professionals encounter include accidental damage to the inner ear and/or brain stem and cortex. This damage can be caused if foreign objects are placed in the middle ear, if puncture or perforation of the ear drum (tympanic membrane) occurs, if fracture of the temporal bones occurs, and if one suffers a blow to the head. Auditory damage can also be caused by the effect of certain drugs; which can destroy either the auditory or vestibular (or both) hair cells.

Auditory damage can also affect a person's sense of balance and positioning as the anatomy of the inner ear is also essential in maintaining your equilibrium along with your hearing. Infections and disorders in the inner ear can affect both your hearing and equilibrium.

The best way to protect yourself from auditory damage is to avoid loud noises, wear ear protection, refrain from putting objects in your ears, and by promptly treating any ear infections.