Types of Hearing Loss

There are three types of hearing loss; sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. We determine the type of hearing loss through bone conduction testing.

Sensorineural

The majority of hearing losses result from damage to the inner ear. You may also hear this referred to as a nerve hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent and cannot be improved with medication. Noise exposure, aging, medication use, genetics can all be factors in the cause of this type of hearing loss.

Conductive

A conductive hearing loss is due to problems effecting the outer or middle ear. A conductive hearing loss may be caused by an ear infection, ear wax, bony growths in the ear, or congenital malformations of the year. Typically this type of hearing loss is temporary and may be treated medically.

Mixed

A mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing losses.