Understanding Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is all too common, and while it’s typically associated with older folks, hearing loss can affect people of all ages. If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing or received a diagnosis, knowing whether you have conductive or sensorineural hearing loss can help you make informed decisions about your care going forward. Let’s break down the basics about what you need to know about these types of hearing loss and their symptoms.

What Is Conductive Hearing Loss?

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot properly reach the inner ear. It’s like there’s a blockage or “mechanical” issue that prevents sound from reaching all parts of your ear. When any part of your ear’s natural pathway is damaged, conductive hearing loss is the result. Symptoms might vary among patients, but the most common signs include:

• Muffled or distant-sounding voices and sounds
• Difficulty hearing soft sounds
• Better hearing in noisy environments compared to quiet ones
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Pain or discomfort

Know the Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss

Getting familiar with the causes of certain hearing loss types is essential to understanding your condition. Conductive hearing loss can stem from a range of issues, including:

• Ear Infections—This is one of the most frequent causes of hearing loss, especially in children. When fluid builds up behind the eardrum during an infection, it means sound can’t properly travel through the ear.
• Earwax Buildup—Excess earwax can completely block the ear canal, leading to temporary but significant hearing loss.
• Perforated Eardrum—A perforated eardrum, whether from an injury or infection, can disrupt the ear’s ability to vibrate in response to sound waves.

What Is Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Conductive hearing loss means damage to the middle or outer ear, while sensorineural hearing loss stems from damage to the inner ear or nerves. The inner ear contains thousands of tiny hair cells that convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain to interpret. Damage to these delicate structures often means permanent hearing loss. This type makes up about 90% of all hearing loss cases. Patients with this condition typically report these kinds of symptoms:

• Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments
• High-pitched sounds becoming harder to hear
• Sounds seeming distorted or unclear rather than just quiet
• Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or other phantom sounds)
• Problems distinguishing between similar-sounding words

What Causes Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

While many of the causes of conductive hearing loss are avoidable, the same can’t be said for sensorineural hearing loss. Sometimes, it all comes down to age—the most common reason people develop this condition. In addition to age, these factors could lead to sensorineural hearing loss:

• Noise Exposure—Loud music, machinery, or sudden loud sounds can permanently damage or destroy hair cells.
• Genetics—Your family history plays a major role in hearing loss. Some people inherit a predisposition to hearing loss or a genetic condition that affects hearing.
• Medications—Some medications, including certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and high doses of aspirin, can damage the inner ear.
• Viral Infections—Infections such as meningitis, measles, or sudden viral infections can cause rapid sensorineural hearing loss.
• Head Trauma—Injuries to the head can damage the auditory nerve and inner ear structures, eventually leading to hearing loss.

Differences Between the Two Types of Hearing Loss

When you understand the differences between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, it’s easier to choose a treatment that makes sense for you. Check out this hearing loss comparison to learn more about the key distinctions:

Location

Where is the damage located in your ear? Conductive hearing loss affects the outer or middle ear’s mechanical sound transmission system, while sensorineural hearing loss involves the inner ear’s sensory cells or nerve pathways.

Reversibility

Many causes of conductive hearing loss can be treated medically or surgically, and there’s potential to get your hearing back one day. On the other hand, sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent.

Sound Perceptions

People with conductive hearing loss often describe sounds as muffled or distant but still clear. However, those with sensorineural hearing loss frequently struggle with sound clarity and distortion, even when sounds are loud enough.

Treatment Approaches

Patients with conductive hearing loss often benefit from antibiotics, surgery, or other medical treatments. This isn’t the case for sensorineural hearing loss. Since this type of hearing loss is permanent, hearing aids and cochlear implants are usually the best treatment method.

Take Control of Your Hearing

Understanding the types of hearing loss symptoms is only the first step to taking control of your ear health. At American Medical Hearing Centers, we are committed to helping you hear as clearly as possible. With a wide range of hearing aid services, our team is your single source for all your needs. Contact us to learn more about how hearing aids can restore your hearing ability.