Types of Hearing Loss

The very first blog post discussed what actually happens in the ear when someone has a hearing loss. But, there are many reasons why and how that could happen to someone. For some, like me, it’s hereditary (you can read my story here). For others, like Halle Berry, it was a result of physical abuse. Everybody has a reason for their hearing loss, but there are different kinds, or types, of hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss means sound is not being conducted between the outer ear and the middle ear (ossicles). This can usually be fixed as it is a result of swimmer’s ear, earwax, tumors, infections, fluid, etc.

Sensorineural hearing loss means sound is not being conducted between the inner ear and the brain. This kind of hearing loss is impossible to be fixed and is a result of loud noises, trauma, hereditary, illnesses, etc.

It is possible to have both. This would mean that there is damage in the outer, middle, and/or inner ear. This hearing loss is referred to as mixed.

Hearing loss is preventable (unless its hereditary) and conductive hearing loss is usually fixable. Regardless of the type of loss, it is important to get your ears checked regularly, especially if you are having trouble hearing normal conversations and sounds.

#typesofhearingloss #conductive #Sensorineural