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Audiology > hearing loss types

 

What are the different types of hearing loss?

Conductive, Sensorineural, Mixed and Central are the main types of hearing loss.

 

Conductive Hearing Loss:

Conductive hearing loss occurs with cerumen, or wax, in the external canal, a perforation or hole in the ear drum, negative pressure in the middle ear due to the Eustachian tube not functioning well, fluid in the ears, a cholesteatoma (sac of dead cells), or problems with the small bones. It may be improved or cured with removal of the wax, medication, or surgery -- sometimes very simple surgery. In the above diagram, conductive hearing loss occurs in the ear canal, ear drum, or middle ear.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

"Nerve type" hearing loss, usually called sensorineural, is due to problems of the cochlea, or inner ear, the nerve from the ear to the brain (cochlear nerve), or in the brain. In this case, tests may be required to be certain that a tumor is not present and to determine if there might be other associated problems. Treatment is usually with a hearing aid and occasionally with surgery. Some patients with poor speech discrimination (not understanding words even if the sound is loud enough) will not benefit from hearing aids.

Mixed Hearing Loss:

This type of loss occurs when both a conductive and sensorineural hearing losses are present at the same time. sometimes occurs and may require various treatment modalities.

Central Hearing Loss:

This type of hearing loss occurs when the signal makes its way through the outer, middle and outer ear systems successfully, but the brain is unable to process the information.