What Are Cochlear Dead Regions?

The inner ear consists of two main chambers – the cochlea and the semi-circular canals. The semi-circular canals assist in balance. The cochlea works to change sound into nerve impulses that the brain can understand. Changing sound into nerve impulses begins at the tiny hair cells that line the inner chamber of the cochlea. Different hair cells are sensitive to different pitches of sound. If some of these hair cells are missing or destroyed (as can occur as the result of noise exposure and/or aging), then it is possible that the ability to hear certain pitches is gone. If all of the hair cells are gone in a certain region of the cochlea, then this is known as a cochlear dead region.

Identifying the presence of cochlear dead regions is an important step in the diagnosis that precedes hearing loss treatment. If dead regions are present, simple hearing aid amplification may not be as helpful as if no dead regions are present. 

Careful hearing loss testing can identify such a situation, and can direct the audiologist to provide correct solutions such as amplification and/or listening skills therapy. 

AuDNet, Inc. is a nationwide network of independent audiology providers. All AuDNet audiologists have earned advanced university degrees in audiology, and are fully trained to interpret case histories, carefully test and evaluate all aspects of the auditory system, advise physicians on hearing loss and balance etiologies, and treat hearing loss and balance conditions that are not amenable to medical or surgical intervention. 

The first consideration in seeking hearing care is the expertise and skill of the care giver. Through the AuDNet network of audiology providers, patients have an easy and effective way of insuring that they are receiving hearing care and treatment from qualified and highly trained audiologists.