Do I Have Cookie Bite Hearing Loss?

Get the Facts on This Rare Condition — Including What to Do

Think you or a loved one might have “cookie bite” hearing loss? Wondering what it is? Cookie bite hearing loss is a condition in which a person can perceive low- and high-frequency sounds normally or near normally but has trouble with the midrange. As a result, their audiogram — a visual representation of their hearing test — might appear in the shape of a cookie with a bite taken.

Though rare — it affects only an estimated 0.7% of people — cookie bite or midfrequency sensorineural hearing loss can get in the way of enjoying the sounds you love. The good news? It can be effectively managed and even potentially prevented, making it important to seek regular hearing care and early intervention.

Read on to learn more about cookie bite hearing loss, what you can do about it, and how the knowledgeable team at Worth Hearing Center can help.

 

What Causes Cookie Bite Hearing Loss?

The exact way in which cookie bite hearing loss develops isn’t yet conclusive. Research has noted, however, that various genetic mutations may be behind most instances of the condition. According to one report, for example, “a variation of the TECTA gene (encodes alpha-tectorin) [is] cited as the most frequent cause.”

In addition to genetics or hereditary disposition, other potential causes include:

• Exposure to excess noise, one of the most preventable causes of hearing loss overall
• Ototoxicity, in which medication or chemicals are poisonous/damaging to the inner ear
• Changes in hearing due to aging, one of the biggest risk factors for hearing loss
• Infections from viruses, which also can damage inner-ear structures
• An acoustic neuroma (benign tumor) along the hearing nerve

 

What Are the Signs of Cookie Bite Hearing Loss?

Cookie bite hearing loss signs and symptoms can vary per individual. One of the most common indicators, however, is a U-shape or cookie-bite shape on a person’s audiogram. The audiogram, an important part of hearing evaluations, displays critical information such as the softest level of sound that you can perceive or that your ears can pick up at specific frequencies.

With cookie bite hearing loss largely involving the midfrequency sound levels (ranging from about 400 to 2,000 hertz) — rather than higher or lower frequencies — self-detection can initially be difficult. Some individuals, however, may have trouble understanding speech in noisy environments, experience the perception that everyone is mumbling, or sense ringing or buzzing in the head or ears (tinnitus).

Other symptoms may include:

• Sense of isolation or withdrawal from social engagements
• Frequent requests for others to repeat what they’re saying
• Complaints from loved ones that the TV or radio volume is too high
• Sense of strain or fatigue after talking on the phone
• Gut feeling that something is simply “off” with your hearing

 

How Is Cookie Bite Hearing Loss Diagnosed?

Cookie bite hearing loss can sneak up on you. Regular hearing checkups, however, can make it easier to catch and address problems early. Whether you suspect symptoms of the condition or are coming in for a periodic evaluation, the professionals at Worth Hearing Center can provide complete testing to uncover potential issues.

Your comprehensive evaluation with our licensed audiologist is a quick, painless, and informative process. It would likely involve a detailed case history; discussion of your specific symptoms; and a physical examination of your ears, which can help rule out other medical conditions. It’s also an opportunity to address any questions you may have.

The audiologist may perform one or more hearing tests. In addition, if a condition such as an ear infection, head injury, or other medical problem is suspected, our audiologist may refer you to an applicable specialist. Regardless of the experts involved in your treatment plan, they’re all one team devoted to your hearing wellness.

 

What Are the Treatments for Cookie Bite Hearing Loss?

Like potential symptoms, treatment for cookie bite hearing loss is as individual as the person experiencing it. The condition typically can’t be reversed, but it can be successfully managed with hearing technology customized to your specific needs. Additional training or aural rehabilitation to further enhance communication/speech understanding can also play a crucial role.

Based on your diagnostic assessment, the audiologist will work with you in determining the most appropriate treatment. All the more reason to seek professional care. It can be tempting to dismiss some symptoms as just an inevitable part of aging or an issue that can’t be resolved, but solutions for cookie bite hearing loss are available.

 

Understanding Sensorineural Hearing Loss

5 Things to know

Cookie Bite hearing loss, a form of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), is rare. SNHL itself, however, is the most common type of hearing loss and is often behind presbycusis or age-related hearing loss. Here are five more facts about SNHL.

1. Can affect one or both ears, occur suddenly or gradually, and be present at birth or develop later in life
2. Usually generated by damage to the inner ear, the hearing nerve, or the sound-transmitting hair cells of the ear’s cochlea
3. Often caused by excessive noise exposure, but family history or certain medications that are poisonous to the ear (ototoxicity) could also contribute
4. May in some cases exist together with conductive hearing loss, a combined issue known as “mixed hearing loss”
5. Typically a lasting condition (generally not reversible) but able to be effectively managed with professionally prescribed and fitted hearing aids

A comprehensive exam with our knowledgeable team can help identify the type of hearing loss at issue and the appropriate treatment. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about prevention for yourself and the whole family.

If you or a loved one is experiencing cookie bite hearing loss or suspect potential symptoms, don’t wait. Early action can help identify the condition, prevent further complications, and help improve not only your hearing but also your quality of life. Book your hearing evaluation with the expert team at Worth Hearing Center today!