There are two main types and causes of hearing loss, conductive and sensorineural . While sensorineural involves mostly nerve damage in the inner ear, conductive hearing loss is commonly caused by more external factors, as it typically involves issues with the ear canal, middle ear, or ear drum. Because conductive hearing has such a wide range of potential causes, its treatments can also vary from hearing aids to surgery. If you are currently experiencing hearing loss but are unsure of what the cause may be, consider discussing your symptoms with your audiologist to determine next steps for treatment.
Because conductive hearing has such a wide range of potential causes, its treatments can also vary from hearing aids to surgery.
Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss
Since conductive hearing loss involves the ear canal and ear drum, there are many external factors that can cause this type of issue with your hearing. These causes typically include, but are not limited to the following:
- Fluid in the middle ear from colds or ear infections
- Congestion from allergy symptoms
- Genetic factors such as malformation of ear structures or Otosclerosis
- Issues with Eustachian tube functions
- Eardrum abnormalities such as a perforated eardrum
- Benign tumors
- Build up of impacted earwax
- Ear canal infections
- Foreign objects in the ear
Although some of these infections may be easily treated with antifungal medicine and/or antibiotics, many of these causes may require surgery to address structural issues, blockages, or fluid buildup.
Advanced Treatment Options
Certain causes and symptoms of conductive hearing loss that may require surgical repair typically stem from more serious factors such as head trauma, tumors, or fluid build up from chronic infections. Your audiologist will be able to guide you through the processes of your treatment to ensure that you receive the most effective treatment for your symptoms. Once the root cause of your hearing loss has been addressed, it will be easier to move forward with other options to assist you with your hearing, such as a hearing aid or medication to alleviate symptoms of chronic infections.
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently-owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
Come in for a walk-in appointment on Tuesdays & Fridays from 10:00am to 11:30am, or contact us to schedule an appointment by calling 410-698-6594 or visiting our contact page. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and LinkedIn for more blog posts, news, and updates!