Types of hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by anything that interferes with the transmission of sound from the outer to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss usually results in a reduction in sound level or the ability to hear faint sounds.
There are a number of conditions which may cause conductive hearing loss, such as:
- Middle ear infections (otitis media)
- Glue ear (collection of fluid in the middle ear)
- Benign tumors
- Otosclerosis (where the ossicles of the middle ear harden and become less mobile)
- Damage of the ossicles
- Perforated ear drum
- Absence or malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear (retrocochlear) to the brain.
This type of hearing loss involves a reduced level of sound or the ability to hear faint sounds and the ability to hear clearly and understand speech.
Mixed hearing loss
A mixed hearing loss is a combination of a conductive hearing loss with a sensorineural element.
