Types of Hearing Loss

Brittany Mott

Hearing losses can be categorized into three different types: Sensorineural, Conductive and Mixed Loss.

To properly understand your hearing loss, it is first important to understand how you hear. There are three major parts to the ear: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.


All sound is vibration. Sound waves travel through the outer ear, causing the ear drum to vibrate. Vibration of the ear drum set the three bones of the middle ear system (malleus, incus and stapes) into motion, which amplify this vibration to stimulate the tiny hair cells within the inner ear (cochlea) which ultimately translate this vibration into electrical signals to be transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve. Your brain is where these signals are turned into sound and when the brain is not receiving this input, it is referred to as ‘auditory deprivation’. 

 

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in adults. It occurs when there is damage to the hair cells of the inner ear. These hair cells are called stereocilia and can be damaged through exposure to noise, exposure to ototoxic chemicals or drugs, genetic factors or can deteriorate over time. Regardless of the cause, damage to these hair cells will ultimately result in a hearing loss. Hearing loss due to aging is often referred to as presbycusis. Sensorineural hearing loss usually occurs gradually, and one may not notice a hearing loss until it is in the moderate or moderately-severe range of hearing loss. Some early signs of sensorineural hearing loss include:

  • Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
  • Difficulty hearing women and children
  • The feeling that people are ‘mumbling’
  • Hearing people speak but not understanding what they’re saying
  • Ringing in the ears

Sensorineural hearing loss is treated with the use of hearing aids, or in severe to profound cases, a cochlear implant. 

 

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass through the outer or middle ear to the inner ear. In a conductive hearing loss, the hearing at the level of the nerve (inner ear), is within the normal range. Causes of conductive hearing loss include wax buildup in the ear canal (outer ear), foreign object obstruction of the ear drum, perforation of the ear drum, fluid buildup in the middle ear system, otosclerosis, narrowing of the ear canal, tumour of the middle ear, injury resulting in damage to outer or middle ear, deformation of outer or middle ear. Otosclerosis is a condition causing fixation of the stapes due to abnormal bone growth. Ultimately, this disrupts the ability of the middle ear system to transmit sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. As you can see, there are many different causes which can results in conductive hearing loss. The most common symptom of conductive hearing loss is muffled hearing, or the feeling that you are hearing under water. A conductive hearing loss may be able to be alleviated with medical or surgical intervention.

 

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of a sensorineural and a conductive hearing loss.   It is important to determine the type of hearing loss you’re experiencing to determine the best course of treatment for you. 


At Niagara Hearing & Health, we have the tools to diagnose your hearing loss and recommend what is best for you. 

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

May 2, 2023
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss IS a Medical Emergency

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

November 7, 2022
"Noise exposure doesn’t just happen in the workplace. It is becoming more common for people to experience noise induced hearing loss from recreational activities such as shooting, boating, snowmobiling, sporting events, concerts, bars, and movie theatres"

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

By Brittany Mott • September 13, 2022
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the auditory cortex, which is the region of the brain responsible for interpreting auditory information.

Hearing Loss and Dementia

By Seneka Caruso • July 25, 2022
We all know both dementia and hearing loss are highly prevalent conditions in the aging population.

Learn More About Tinnitus

By Brittany Mott • July 5, 2022
Tinnitus is a constant or intermittent ringing in one or both of your ears. Almost everyone has experienced tinnitus at some point in their lives; however, for some, it is a persistent and often even debilitating issue. What people don’t often know is what causes tinnitus and what they can do to relieve their symptoms. Causes of tinnitus: Hearing Loss: Often, tinnitus is associated with a sensorineural hearing loss. In fact, 90% of people who present with a sensorineural hearing loss also report tinnitus. This type of hearing loss can be hereditary, age-related, trauma-induced or noise-induced. Hearing loss is the most common cause of tinnitus. Infection: During active infection, or even following ear infections, fluid can persist in the middle ear causing a change in pressure in the middle ear space, which can result in tinnitus. Blockage: Build up of ear wax or blockage by a foreign body entering the ear canal can cause tinnitus. Injury or trauma to the head or neck: Typically, this type of damage will cause tinnitus in just one ear. Medications: Certain medications have been known to induce tinnitus. Such medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, chemotherapy agents, antidepressants and diuretics. People often get the discouraging message that nothing can be done to relieve symptoms of tinnitus and they must get used to it. Though there is no ‘cure’ for tinnitus, there are a lot of great tools and treatments to reduce the perceived intensity of tinnitus. An important first step is booking a hearing test with a qualified hearing care professional who specializes in identification and treatment of tinnitus. At Niagara Hearing & Health, we are members of the American Tinnitus Association and therefore specialize in the identification and management of tinnitus. Brittany or Seneka will perform a comprehensive hearing evaluation including tympanometry and acoustic reflex testing in addition to the pure-tone air and bone conduction testing. Our state-of-the-art equipment ensures you are in great hands. Once we have the information we need, we will discuss the best tinnitus management program for you to minimize the impact tinnitus has on your life. Sometimes the answer is wax removal, sometimes it is hearing aids; and other times it may be a more involved treatment plan. No two tinnitus cases are alike and therefore the best course of treatment is going to differ from patient to patient. Successful tinnitus management programs require overlapping layers of treatment options. At Niagara Hearing & Health we are here to take the time and help you manage your tinnitus with individualized treatment plans. - Brittany Mott Au.D., Reg. CASLPO
Share by: