TYPES OF HEARING LOSS

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This type of hearing loss is most common and all of us will experience it eventually in some capacity. Over time, the little hair cells in our cochlea slowly become damaged and are no longer able to pick up sound the way they used to. This process can be accelerated or worsened by disease and/or noise exposure. These little hair cells are also one of the few parts of the body that do not regenerate. This type of hearing loss is permanent and treated with hearing aids or other hearing technology.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Our ear system is quite complex. Before sound can make it to the inner ear, it has to travel through the outer and middle ear first. If there is anything impeding or blocking the sound from making it to your cochlea, this is called a conductive hearing loss. This could be a blockage like wax, fluid in your middle ear, the middle ear bones not moving correctly, along with other factors as well. Sometimes Conductive hearing loss can be treated with medication or surgery. Sometimes it’s recommended to treat Conductive hearing loss with hearing aids.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is when someone has both Sensorineural & Conductive loss. Mixed hearing loss is typically treated with hearing aids or other hearing technology.