Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss

• Sound energy is blocked from reaching the inner ear normally.
• Possible causes include: fluid behind eardrum, earwax build-up, perforated eardrum, fixation of middle ear bones, etc.
• In many cases, it may be medically or surgically treatable.
• Typically, these individuals obtain significant benefit from hearing aids; however, surgical correction is frequently an option if medically appropriate.
  • May receive significant benefit from osseointergrated implanted hearing aids if medical treatment or air conduction hearing aids are not appropriate. 

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Inner ear (cochlea) and/or hearing nerve damaged so sound is not processed normally.
• Possible causes include: noise, medications, disease, aging etc.
• In some cases (less than 10%), it is medically or surgically treatable.
• These individuals often obtain significant benefit from hearing aids or other amplifying devices.
• Cochlear implants often provide significant hearing to children and adults who do not receive benefit from hearing aids.

Mixed Hearing Loss

• There is both a conductive and a sensorineural part to the hearing loss.
• A portion of the loss may be medically or surgically treatable.
• Typically, these individuals will obtain significant benefit from hearing aids or other amplifying devices.