Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are unable to pass efficiently through the outer and/or middle ear to the inner ear. It's often caused by blockages or problems in the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear such as earwax buildup, ear infections, fluid in the middle ear, ruptured eardrum, or malformations of the outer or middle ear. With conductive hearing loss, sounds may seem muffled or faint, but it's often treatable with medical or surgical intervention.
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve. It's the most common type of permanent hearing loss and can be caused by aging (presbycusis), exposure to loud noise, genetic factors, certain medications (ototoxic drugs), illnesses, or head trauma. People with SNHL often experience difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, trouble understanding speech especially in noisy environments, and may experience tinnitus (ringing in the ears). While typically permanent, SNHL can be effectively managed with hearing aids and other assistive devices.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It means there's damage in both the outer/middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an ear infection combined with age-related hearing loss, or trauma that affects multiple parts of the ear. Treatment approaches typically address both components, potentially combining medical interventions for the conductive component with hearing aids for the sensorineural aspect.
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is a condition where sound enters the ear normally, but the signals are not transmitted correctly to the brain. The inner ear may receive the sound, but there is a disruption of the signals traveling along the auditory nerve to the brain. People with ANSD can have very variable hearing abilities and often experience difficulty understanding speech, even when sounds are heard at normal volumes. Treatment approaches are individualized and may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices, along with communication strategies and speech therapy.
At Naadam / Hearingplus Hearing, our expert audiologists can determine the specific type and degree of your hearing loss through comprehensive testing. Understanding the nature of your hearing loss is essential for developing an effective treatment plan.
