Different Types and Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss doesn’t discriminate, it can impact the young and old alike. Because it’s such a widespread issue, the symptoms and causes vary strongly depending on the type of hearing loss. The following are the three types of hearing loss and what you might expect from each:

Types of hearing loss:

–       Conductive hearing loss

–       Sensorineural Hearing loss

–       Mixed hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss:

The sound is hindered from travelling from the middle ear to inner ear, which results in a decrease in the intensity of the sound. Blockage in the external ear canal and any other disorder in the middle ear can cause conductive hearing loss. When the sound enters through the external ear, its intensity is impeded by the blockage in the middle ear. For it to travel normally, the sound energy needs to be increased (or the sound is made louder). Once it does so, the ear is able to function normally.

The causes of conductive hearing loss are:

–       Dysfunction of components of ear, including the ear canal, ear drums, middle ear and its three bones

–       Fluid in middle ear from a cold

–       Ear infections such a Otitis Media where bacteria and infection leads to development of fluid in the ear

–       Allergies that cause swelling in the middle ear

–       Poor Eustachian tube function

–       Perforated eardrums (holes in the eardrums)

–       Earwax

–       Infection in ear canal

–       Foreign body in ear canal causing obstruction

–       Otosclerosis, or overgrowth of bone of the ear

Sensorineural Hearing loss

The word sensorineural results from dysfunction of inner ear and/or auditory nerve. The term sensorineural is comprised of two more words- sensory and neural. Both can occur individually, as well as concurrently.

Sensory dysfunction may occur due to the inability of the hair cells to stimulate the nerves of hearing or metabolic problem in the fluids of inner ear. Neural dysfunction may be due to the damage to the organ of Corti (structure which produces nerve impulses) or problems with the  hearing nerves’ delivery of neurochemical information to central auditory system.

The causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

–       Head trauma

–       Abrupt changes in air pressure

–       Exposure to excessively loud noise

–       Virus or disease in other parts of the body

–       Autoimmune inner ear disease

–       Malformation of the inner ear

–       Meniere’s disease (feeling of ringing, vertigo and fullness in the ear)

–       Otosclerosis

–       Genetics

–       Aging

–       Tumor

Mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss occurs when the two previously mentioned hearing loss types (conductive and sensorineural hearing loss) occur simultaneously. In such cases, usually the conductive hearing loss is easier to manage and reduce; however, sensorineural hearing loss poses a bigger challenge.

However, if you believe you have trouble hearing sounds properly, always consult a hearing healthcare professional before opting for any treatment. Early diagnosis plays a major role in a successful treatment. A majority of people rely on self-diagnosis to fight hearing loss which doesn’t have to be the case with the numerous professionals available to treat it!