Types of Hearing Loss

Approximately one out of every ten Americans is affected by some degree of hearing loss. The ratio is nearly one in three for those over 65 years of age. There are different types and varying degrees of hearing loss. Some hearing losses are permanent, while others, thankfully, can be treated medically.

Generally there are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural and mixed. Hearing loss is classified according to which part of the auditory system is affected.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is the result of disorders in either the middle or outer ear, which prevent sound from getting to the inner ear. Voices and sounds may sound faint, distorted or both.

Some common causes of conductive hearing loss:

• Dislocation of the ossicles (the three middle ear bones)
• Ear wax build-up
• Fluid in the middle ear
• Foreign objects in the ear canal
• Growths or tumors
• Infection of the ear canal or middle ear
• Otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear)
• Perforation or scarring of the eardrum

If treated promptly, most conductive hearing loss can be helped medically or surgically.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

When inner ear nerves become damaged and do not properly transmit their signals to the brain, sensorineural hearing loss occurs. Common complaints by the sufferer are that people seem to mumble, or that they can hear, but do not understand what is being said. As we get older, the inner ear nerves and sensory cells deteriorate, so usually it is the aging process that is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss.

In addition to advancing age, sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by:

• Acoustic tumors
• Diabetes
• Excessive noise exposure
• Injury to the ear
• Heredity
• High fever
• Ménière's disease (an inner ear disease affecting balance & hearing)
• Meningitis (bacterial infection of the brain & spinal cord membranes)
• Ototoxic drugs (medications that damage hearing)
• Stroke
• Viral infections (like mumps or measles)

Occurring in 80% of adult cases, sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss among adults. It is not often medically or surgically treatable, but most sensorineural hearing loss can be successfully treated with hearing aids.

Mixed Hearing Loss

If a hearing loss is the result of both conductive and sensorineural reasons, it is referred to as a mixed hearing loss.

How do you tell which type of hearing loss is affecting you?

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