Types of hearing loss
Conductive
A conductive hearing loss is caused by problems within the outer and/or middle ear.
Conductive hearing losses are usually temporary and medically treatable. Common causes of
conductive hearing loss are chronic middle ear infections and impacted earwax. Less common
causes of conductive hearing loss include disconnection of the three tiny bones in the middle
ear, which is behind the eardrum, often due to head trauma; otosclerosis, a disease involving
bony growth within the middle ear; cholesteatoma, a skin growth that occurs in the middle
ear; as well as other causes. Some of these conditions can be medically treated and/or
respond well to bone-conduction or bone-anchored hearing aids.
Sensorineural
A sensorineural hearing loss is caused by problems within the inner ear. The inner ear is the
sense organ for hearing. Damage to the inner ear can result in a permanent hearing loss. To
date, it cannot be cured medically. Hearing aids and/or cochlear implants are the current
treatment for those with sensorineural hearing loss. Damage to the inner ear can be caused by
extreme noise exposure, age, head trauma, stroke, certain medications and infections, as well
as others.
Mixed
A mixed hearing loss involves both conductive and sensorineural components to the hearing
loss.
Home |
Events | About ARA
| JARA |
Membership
Members Only |
Student Section |
Consumer Page
© 2008 Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology. All Rights
Reserved.
