hörselfel

Hörselfel is a Swedish term used to describe a hearing impairment, defined as a reduced ability to perceive sounds or understand speech. It can involve one or both ears and ranges from mild to profound. Clinically, the more precise term is usually hörselnedsättning, which encompasses conductive, sensorineural, and mixed forms.

Conductive hearing loss results from problems in the outer or middle ear that hinder sound transmission, such as earwax buildup, otitis media with effusion, or otosclerosis. Sensorineural hearing loss arises from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve and is commonly related to aging (presbyacusis), noise exposure, certain medications (ototoxic drugs), or genetic factors. Mixed hearing loss combines both components.

Causes vary widely and may be temporary or permanent. Common factors include aging, exposure to loud noise, ear infections, trauma, temporal bone disease, and congenital conditions.

Symptoms include difficulty following speech, especially in noisy environments, needing higher volumes on devices, tinnitus, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Assessment is usually conducted by an audiologist or ENT doctor and involves audiometry, tympanometry, and sometimes otoacoustic emissions or auditory brainstem response testing to determine type and degree of loss.

Management depends on the underlying cause and severity and may include hearing aids, cochlear implants in selected cases, bone-conduction devices, or assistive listening devices. Rehabilitative strategies, communication training, and environmental modifications can improve outcomes. In many cases reversible causes (such as earwax removal or infection treatment) can restore hearing.

Prevention focuses on protecting ears from excessive noise, avoiding ototoxic substances when possible, and early evaluation of hearing difficulties. The term hörselfel is mainly used in everyday language; for precise clinical communication, hörselnedsättning and specific diagnostic terms are preferred.