Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss is defined as damage to the auditory system, this comes in three main forms:

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Conductive hearing loss– This type of hearing loss is caused by an interruption or disruption to sound travelling from the middle-ear to the inner-ear. This is usually caused by a blockage in the external ear canal. Conductive hearing loss causes sound to lose its intensity (loudness) but can easily be treated and corrected with hearing aids.

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Sensorineural hearing loss– this results from inner ear or auditory nerve dysfunction. Nerves may degenerate or this can be an inability of the hearing nerves themselves to convey neurochemical information through the ear. This type of hearing loss does not always react favourably to medical treatment, but can be improved through the amplification of sound by hearing aids.

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Mixed hearing loss– this is a mix of the two types of hearing loss above, that is to say sensorineural loss with some blockage of the ear canal. Hearing aids can also beneficial to people with mixed hearing loss although caution should be exercised if the conductive element of the hearing loss is the result of an active ear infection.

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Common Causes of Hearing Loss:

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Conductive Hearing Loss:

• Malformation of the outer, middle or ear canal.

• Fluid in the middle ear

• Ear infection

• Impacted earwax,

• Benign tumors

• Perforated Ear Drum

Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

• Exposure to loud noise

• Head trauma

• Virus of disease

• Aging

• Malformation of the inner ear

• Hearing loss that runs in the family