Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer or middle part of the ear, where sound is converted to vibrations and sent to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss refers to issues with transferring sound waves (due to a blockage or other impediment.)
Excessive earwax, a ruptured ear drum, or even ear infections can result in conductive hearing loss. If earwax has built up in the ears, conductive hearing loss may be temporary and easily corrected.
Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that is often easily identifiable. The following causes have been associated with this type of hearing loss:
Hearing loss is divided into the following categories (based on which part of the ear is damaged): sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is usually the result of a disruption to the sound's path as it travels from the outer/middle ear to the inner ear, while sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the delicate nerve fibres of the inner ear become damaged.
Mixed hearing loss occurs when both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss occur in the same ear.
Conductive hearing loss is sometimes accompanied by pain or discomfort - or the feeling that "something is wrong" in the ear.
Other common signs of conductive hearing loss may include:
Time may be all that is needed to recover from less severe cases of conductive hearing loss. In other cases, conductive hearing loss can be treated medically in one of the following ways:
