How Does Hearing Loss Occur?

There are currently over 35 million Americans suffering from hearing loss and that number is growing everyday. While there are many reasons for hearing loss, there are three main causes of hearing loss and diagnosing how and why the hearing loss occurred is the first step towards a successful treatment. 

Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when the conduction of sound through the outer and/or middle ear in disrupted in some manner. This type of hearing loss effects either the middle ear (ossicular chain), tympanic membrane or the inner ear.  Some common examples of conductive hearing loss are blockages (such as ear wax), ear infections with fluid build-up, diseases of the middle ear bones, perforated eardrums, and tension caused by pressure changes, as in altitude changes when flying. This type of hearing loss accounts for about 10% of hearing loss and can often be medically treated to restore hearing. Hearing aids and bone-conducting hearing aid may also be viable solutions for some patients. The most common symptom of conductive hearing loss is an overall decrease in the volume of sound. Patients with conductive hearing loss can often hear better simply by listening at a high volume. Turning up the TV or having someone speak more loudly will result in cognition and understand.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Commonly referred to as "nerve hearing loss" or "nerve deafness" can range in severity from mild to total deafness.  Sensorineural hearing loss is localized to either the inner ear, cranial nerve VIII or the central processing centers in the brain that decipher sound.  This type of hearing loss is most frequently the result of damage or abnormalities in the hair cells in the cochlea causing poor hair cell function. While it's cause is not always known there are some common causes that are often diagnosed as sensorineural hearing loss by medical professionals including nerve damage, genetic mutations, aging, trauma or excessive noise exposure. Of these causes, only noise induced damage is preventable. For most people who suffer from sensorineural hearing loss the condition is not treatable with medication or surgery although many suffers do experience better hearing via hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Mixed Hearing Loss 
As the name implies, this is hearing loss that is a combination of both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. It can be caused by a variety of illnesses and any combination of the causes mentioned above. When this type of loss is diagnosed, it is often possible to treat the conductive part of hearing loss but the sensorineural hearing loss is usually lasting.

In summation, while there are many causes of hearing loss, it is imperative for treatment that the type of hearing loss is diagnosed. By visiting an audiologist and having your hearing checked with regularity, it is possible to treat hearing loss and prevent further damage to your hearing.