Approximately 15% of all American adults report having some trouble with their hearing, but did you know that there are three main types of hearing loss? They are sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), conductive hearing loss, and mixed hearing loss. While they all result in diminished hearing capability, they differ in critical ways. Let’s discuss these differences and why they might matter for hearing loss treatment.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
SNHL is the most common type of hearing loss. It is caused by dysfunction in the inner ear or neural pathways to the brain, which can happen due to aging, exposure to loud noise, ototoxic drugs or underlying health conditions, to name a few.
In order for us to hear, sound waves enter our ears and travel into the cochlea, an organ in the inner ear that is filled with fluid and lined with tiny hair-like sensory cells. These cells and the cochlea’s function are to translate those sound waves into electrical signals and then relay those electrical signals to the brain for processing. When the hair cells within the cochlea are damaged or die off, they are unable to perform this function, meaning that sound information doesn’t get to the brain.
How to Treat Sensorineural Hearing Loss
SNHL is not usually reversible, so there is no medication or surgery that can resolve the condition. Instead, SNHL is usually treated with hearing aids or other listening assistive devices. An audiologist will perform a hearing test on the patient to determine the severity of SNHL and whether it’s present in one or both ears, then prescribe hearing aids as necessary. These devices help sound information reach the brain by amplifying certain sounds and suppressing background noise.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are blocked from entering the ear canal in the first place. This could happen due to an obstruction in the ear canal, malformations of the ear, fluid buildup due to an ear infection or injury, among other causes.
How to Treat Conductive Hearing Loss
In some cases, conductive hearing loss is temporary. In the event of compacted earwax or fluid buildup, for example, hearing would return to normal once the earwax was removed or the offending ear infection resolved.
Other conditions, such as malformations in the ear, may require medical attention. This could include surgery to remove a cyst, tumor or other growth that is obstructing the ear, or stapedectomy surgery to correct otosclerosis.
Still other conditions may require hearing aids or other hearing devices if removal or surgery are not viable options. These devices can bypass a blocked or damaged ear canal and deliver sound directly to the cochlea.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss occurs when both conductive and sensorineural hearing damage occur simultaneously. Anything that can cause conductive hearing loss or SNHL can lead to mixed hearing loss. In this case, the issue compounds and makes hearing worse than it would be with only one problem.
How to Treat Mixed Hearing Loss
Because mixed hearing loss is a combination of SNHL and conductive hearing loss, treatment is likewise a combination of the two. Treatment of mixed hearing loss will depend heavily on what caused the damage, which may involve medication, surgery, hearing aids or a combination of treatments.
Seeking Help for Hearing Loss
No matter what kind of hearing loss is causing your hearing issues, it’s always a good idea to visit an audiologist to address any changes in your hearing. Contact Certified Hearing Aid Consultants today to begin your hearing loss treatment journey.