Hearing loss is classified based on which part of the hearing system is damaged. There are three basic types: conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. Each type is caused by different issues, some of which can be treated medicinally or surgically, others are only managed with hearing aids. Below we have laid out the three types of hearing loss along with possible causes and treatment.
1. Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is typically caused by problems with the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear bones This type of hearing loss is usually treatable with medicine or surgery. Repeated ear infections are the most common cause and can usually be treated with antibiotics. Surgery can repair issues with the eardrum or the three middle ear bones.
Possible causes:
- Fluid in the middle ear
- Ear infection
- Allergies
- Perforated eardrum
- Benign tumors
- Impacted ear wax
- Infection in the ear canal
- Swimmer’s ear
- Poor Eustachian tube function
- Foreign body in ear
- Otosclerosis
- Absence of malformation of the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear
2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss and responds very well to hearing aids. When hearing aids are not enough, this type of hearing loss could be surgically treated with cochlear implants.
Common causes:
- Aging
- Noise exposure
- Family history of hearing loss
Other Causes
- Illnesses/Viruses/Disease
- Medication and drugs that are toxic to hearing
- Head trauma
- Malformation of the inner ear
- Meniere’s Disease
- Tumors
Sudden hearing loss sometimes occur spontaneously with no apparent cause. Most often it is in one ear. Immediate treatment with steroids is imperative to recovering hearing.
Sudden decline due to brief exposure to loud sound (firearms, concert, accident) may respond to immediate medical treatment with corticosteroids.
A specific type of tumor that occurs along the hearing or facial nerve, acoustic neuroma, can cause SNHL and need to be managed by an Otologist, the most specialized ear physician and surgeon.
A complete ear examination and hearing evaluation will more clearly define which of these conditions are the most likely cause, which then leads to your best treatment.
3. Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means that damage could be done to both the outer or middle ear AND the inner ear or auditory nerve.
The conductive component may be treatable with medical treatment, but the sensorineural component will most likely be permanent. Hearing aids can definitely be beneficial to those with mixed hearing loss, but the cause of the conductive component should first be identified and treated especially if it is due to an active ear infection.
Your examination and complete hearing evaluation with our audiologists, Dr. Mills and Kim Hobson, will uncover what type of hearing loss you may have. We can then recommend the best treatment for your hearing situation.
Audiologists and Hearing Tests in North Carolina
If you think you are dealing with hearing loss, it’s time to seek professional help with an audiologist.
Schedule a consultation with our trusted audiologists in North Carolina today!
You can find our audiologists in Winston-Salem,NC and Clemmons, NC.
