Conductive
Hearing Loss
If there is a problem in the outer or middle ear, it causes a conductive hearing loss. This means sound is having difficulty traveling to the inner ear.
Some causes of conductive hearing loss are wax in the ear canal, fluid in the middle ear, or a hole in the eardrum. Most types of conductive hearing loss can be treated with medicine or surgery.
Below are pictures of a normal eardrum, middle ear with fluid, and an eardrum with a hole.
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|
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Normal
Eardrum |
Middle
Ear Fluid |
Eardrum
Perforation |
Michael Hawke, M.D., Diseases of the Ear,
published by Manticore Communications |
Cross
section of the middle ear showing
middle ear fluid |
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Sensorineural
Hearing Loss
If there is a problem in the inner ear, it causes a sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss in young children can occur with certain infections before birth, from a lack of oxygen during birth, or from genetic causes. Sensorineural hearing loss usually cannot be cured with medicine or surgery, but hearing aids can help in many/most cases.
Mixed
Hearing Loss
Children with sensorineural hearing loss also can have middle ear problems (such as fluid in the middle ear). This can make hearing loss worse. This is known as a mixed hearing loss.
