There are a multitude of causes of hearing loss, depending on the type of hearing loss different parts of your ear and hearing will be affected. A crucial part of identifying hearing loss is determining the cause and type of loss occurring.

Sensorineural hearing loss

This is the most common type of hearing loss. This type of hearing loss infers that you have damaged the tiny hair cells in the inner ear or the nerve that communicates sound to the brain, or the brain itself.

Sensorineural hearing loss is most frequently caused by the natural aging process (it is also genetic) or exposure to loud sounds. It may also be caused by head trauma or narcotics.

Signs of sensorineural hearing loss may go unnoticed until too late as it is a very gradual process. Common symptoms include difficulty hearing in group/noisy settings, troubles hearing on the phone, difficulties hearing high pitched sounds, and the impression that everyone is mumbling.

Since sensorineural hearing loss is untreatable by surgery or medicine, the most common solution to this type of hearing loss is wearing hearing aids. The best way to deal with your hearing loss is by booking a hearing test, getting diagnosed, and start treating your hearing loss.

Book an appointment today by calling one of our clinics closest to you!

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss transpires in the outer or middle part of the ear where sound is converted to vibrations and sent to the inner ear. The outer ear consists of ear cartilage, the ear canal and the outer layer of the eardrum. The middle ear consists of the ear drum, ear cavity and ossicles (three tiny bones in the ear.)

Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is often easily identifiable. Excessive ear wax, a ruptured ear drum, ear infections, fluid in the ears, and diseases can all result in conductive hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss is often medically treatable however, in cases where it is permanent, hearing aids are the best resolution. Medical treatment depends on the cause of the hearing loss. Ex) excess wax in the ear may be flushed out by a physician, restoring the hearing in the effected ear.

Mixed Hearing Loss

A mixed hearing loss is a problem in your outer or middle ear and in your inner ear (combination of conductive of sensorineural hearing loss).

Anything that causes a conductive or sensorineural hearing loss can lead to a mixed hearing loss. An example would be if you have noise induced hearing loss from work and you have fluid in your middle ear.

Treatment for mixed hearing loss will depend on the situation and consist with treatment for both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.