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What different kinds of hearing loss are there?
Normal hearing requires that all parts of the auditory pathway are working correctly. This includes the external ear, the middle ear, the inner ear, the auditory nerve, and the connection between the auditory nerve and the brain. The exact location and nature of the problem determines the type and severity of an individual's hearing loss.
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| Cutaway of ear, showing outer, middle, and inner ear. |
- Conductive hearing loss is caused by a problem in the outer ear or middle ear. These losses usually affect all frequencies to the same degree, but are not usually severe. Conductive hearing loss happens when something blocks the sounds that are carried from the eardrum (tympanic membrane) to the inner ear. For example, ear wax buildup, fluid in the middle ear, abnormal bone growth, a punctured eardrum, or a middle ear infection can cause this type of hearing loss. The most common cause of progressive conductive hearing loss in adults is otosclerosis, which causes fixation of the third ear bone (stapes). If ear wax blockage is a problem for you, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery suggests using mild treatments, such as mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial ear drops to soften ear wax. Also, you can use commercial earway removal kits to clean out wax occasionally, if necessary. Never use cotton swabs. If you think you may have a hole in your eardrum, however, you should see your doctor. Medical or surgical treatment can usually restore conductive hearing loss.
- Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. A sensorineural loss often affects a person's ability to hear some frequencies more than others. This means that sounds may be appear distorted, even with the use of a hearing aid. Sensorineural losses can range from mild to profound and tend to be permanent.
- Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural losses.
- Central hearing loss is caused by a problem along the pathway from the inner ear to the auditory region of the brain or in the brain itself.
No matter what kind of hearing loss you may have, medical or surgical treatment, or hearing devices, can improve hearing for most people. Even though research demonstrates that intervention strategies can greatly improve one's communication ability, only a small portion of people who can be helped by hearing aids actually use them.
Adapted from: "Hearing Loss and Older Adults," February 2002 — National Institutes of Health; "Hearing Loss," September 2002 — National Institute on Aging; "NIDCD/VA Clinical Trial Finding Can Benefit Millions with Hearing Loss," 2000 — National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders; and "Hearing Loss," August 2004 — Center for Disease Control and Prevention
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