Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss affects an estimated 48 million Americans. There are many different causes, which translate to different types of hearing loss. An understanding of the cause and type of hearing loss is essential in developing a successful treatment plan.
There are three main types of hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the outer or middle ear. This includes the ear canal, eardrum, ossicles and the Eustachian tube. Conductive hearing loss can be caused by:
- Ear infections
- Colds
- Allergies
- Impacted earwax
- Foreign objects in the ear canal
- Perforated eardrum
- Poor Eustachian tube function
- Malformation of the outer or middle ear, including the ear canal
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to either the inner ear or the hearing nerve. Presbycusis and noise-induced hearing loss fall into this category. Additional causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:
- Head trauma
- Viruses or disease
- Malformations of the inner ear
- Meniere’s disease
- Otosclerosis, tumors and heredity
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both. Individuals with this type of hearing loss have damage to their outer or middle ear as well as their inner ear or auditory nerve.
Call Hearing Health Centers at (712) 262-7774 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
