Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is defined as either conductive or sensorineural.

Conductive - When sound cannot reach the inner ear through normal air conduction channels, the hearing loss is considered to be conductive. Conductive hearing loss is often responsive to medical or surgical treatment. Some possible causes of conductive hearing loss are impacted cerumen (earwax), perforated eardrum, or fluid in the middle ear.

Sensorineural - This type of hearing loss results from disease or damage in the cochlea (inner ear) or along the nerve pathway from the inner ear to the brain. This type of hearing loss is permanent. One of the most common types of hearing loss in adults is sensorineural, as a result of aging and/or noise exposure.

28 million people in the United States are affected by hearing loss in one or both ears. With the incidence of noise induced hearing loss occurring at younger and younger ages, it is important to understand how a noise induced hearing loss occurs, and what you can do to prevent it.