Types of Hearing Loss and Their Characteristics
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. It is the result of damage to either the tiny hair-like cells of the inner ear, known as stereocilia, or the auditory nerves that transfer sound signals to the brain.
Children can be born with sensorineural hearing loss due to a genetic syndrome or an infection passed from mother to fetus, but the majority of sensorineural hearing loss cases develop later in life. These can be caused by presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, or ongoing exposure to loud noise (noise-induced hearing loss or NIHL).
Other causes may include:
Heart disease and diabetes
Infections like mumps
Meniere’s disease
Use of ototoxic drugs or medications
Acoustic neuroma or a cancerous growth in the inner ear
Concussion or traumatic brain injury
Autoimmune diseases or thyroid disease
In addition to reduced hearing clarity, characteristics of sensorineural hearing loss can include feelings of unsteadiness or dizziness, tinnitus, and the early onset of dementia or cognitive decline.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss involves an obstruction or damage to the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear components that prevents sound signals from reaching the inner ear. Depending on the cause of the obstruction, conductive hearing loss can be temporary or permanent.
Obstructions can be due to:
Narrowing of the ear canal
An ear infection or too much earwax
Exostoses (bone-like protrusions inside the ear canal)
Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)
Microtia or atresia (congenital deformities)
Conductive hearing loss in the middle ear might include:
Ruptured tympanic membrane (eardrum)
Tympanosclerosis (thickening of the tympanic membrane)
Fluid in the ear or otitis media (ear infection)
Eustachian tube blockage
Otosclerosis (affects the stapes bone in the middle ear)
Abnormal growths or tumors
Ossicular discontinuity (broken connection between the bones of the middle ear)
With conductive hearing loss, the sensory organs of the inner ear remain intact, so hearing challenges usually involve loudness issues rather than problems with sound clarity.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss in which either sensorineural or conductive hearing loss is already present before the other condition develops. There are three common instances for this hearing loss combination:
A form of trauma leads to hearing loss in a person with sensorineural hearing loss
Someone already experiencing conductive hearing loss develops sensorineural hearing loss as they age
Blast injuries or various traumas cause concurrent sensorineural and conductive hearing loss
Those experiencing mixed hearing loss will struggle with clarity and loudness issues related to both types of hearing loss.
Tympanometry
Tympanometry allows us to measure the reaction of the eardrum to a subtle pressure change in the ear canal. This test can identify the presence of fluid behind the eardrum, a ruptured eardrum, or other middle ear issues.
Pure-tone audiometry
Speech Audiometry
Additional Tests
Bone Conduction Test
Schedule a Comprehensive Hearing Assessment
The first step on your journey to better hearing is to learn the truth about your hearing challenges by committing to an easy, non-invasive hearing evaluation to assess your ability to hear in quiet and in noise.
Together we’ll identify the source of your hearing challenges and recommend solutions to overcome those challenges.Contact Nelson Audiology, Inc. for a comprehensive hearing assessment by submitting the adjacent form so we can help you start your journey toward better hearing and a more active, independent lifestyle.
