There are three types of hearing loss:
Conductive Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss is typically the result of obstructions in the outer or middle ear, which prevent sound from entering the middle ear. Voices and sounds may sound faint, distorted or both. Most conductive hearing loss cases can be treated medically or surgically.
Causes of conductive hearing loss are typically obstructions such as: - Infections of the ear canal or middle ear resulting in fluid or pus buildup
- Perforation or scarring of the eardrum
- Wax buildup
- Dislocation of the middle ear bones (ossicles)
- Foreign objects in the ear canal
- Otosclerosis (an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear)
- Abnormal growths or tumors
Mixed Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. In some cases, hearing aids can help with mixed hearing loss.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This is the most common type of hearing loss, caused by withering of the hair cells in the inner ear due to age, noise damage or medications. Without these hair cells the ear cannot detect sounds properly. Generally, hearing aids are prescribed for the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss*.
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss: - Aging
- Injury
- Excessive noise exposure
- Viral infections (such as measles or mumps)
- Ototoxic drugs (medications that damage hearing)
- Meningitis
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- High fever
- Ménière's disease (a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance)
- Acoustic tumors
- Heredity
Next page: If your hearing difficulty is accompanied by ringing or buzzing in your ears,
it may be
Tinnitus >>
*Connelly, P. (2011). Types of Hearing Loss Detail. Better Hearing Institute, www.betterhearing.org
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