Sensorineural vs Conductive Hearing Loss: What You Need to Know
Did you know hearing loss can come in different forms? The two main types are: sensorineural and conductive. I’m Dr. Amy, a Doctor of Audiology and expert in types of hearing loss and hearing loss treatment. While both types of hearing loss make it harder to hear, they differ in their symptoms, causes, and treatments. As an audiologist, I’ve worked with many people with these types of hearing loss. In this article, we’ll review types of hearing loss to understand their differences better.
Conductive Hearing Loss
- Hearing loss from the middle ear, outer ear, or eardrum
- Inner ear functions normally
- Increased volume makes speech clear
Conductive hearing loss means that sound does not travel through the ear canal or middle ear to the inner ear effectively. This hearing difficulty can be due to ear wax build-up, fluid in the middle ear space, or a punctured eardrum. The most common symptoms include difficulty hearing soft noises, muffled sounds, and difficulty understanding speech.
Is conductive hearing loss permanent?
Only sometimes. Conductive hearing loss is often due to wax build-up or fluid in the ear. These are examples of temporary hearing loss. However, other causes may last long-term. For instance, if the hearing difficulty is due to fluid in the ear, it will resolve after the ear infection resolves. However, it is a more long-term condition if it is due to otosclerosis, glomus tumors, chronic ear infections, or eardrum perforations that don’t heal.
Read more about conductive hearing loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- Hearing loss from damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve
- Outer ear and middle ear may function normally
- Increased volume does not always make speech clear
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by inner ear or auditory nerve damage, which is different than conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by age related hearing loss, loud sound exposure (noise induced hearing loss), genetics, viruses or infections, illness, or injury. The most common symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss include the following:
- Difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments (such as restaurants)
- Difficulty understanding high-pitched sounds (such as birds chirping)
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is when there is a sudden change in hearing. It is important to receive prompt treatment for this type of hearing loss, as hearing can sometimes be restored if treated within two weeks of the occurrence.
Is sensorineural hearing loss permanent?
Damage to the inner ear is permanent hearing loss and cannot be restored to normal hearing. Avoiding loud noises helps to prevent noise damage to your hearing. While sensorineural hearing loss can be gradual, sensorineural hearing loss remains stable or worsens over time. It does not improve. For example, age related hearing loss or sudden sensorineural hearing loss. However, some ear conditions, such as Meniere’s disease, cause fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. This condition involves changes in the cochlea resulting in episodes of worsening hearing loss, dizziness, and tinnitus.
What is mixed hearing loss?
- Combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss
- Hearing loss is caused by two parts of the ear
Mixed hearing loss means inner ear hearing loss and an obstruction preventing sound from entering the ear effectively. Eardrum scarring, surgical changes, cholesteatoma, advanced otosclerosis, a mastoidectomy, or other causes can cause mixed hearing loss.
Differential Diagnosis – Sensorineural vs Conductive Hearing Loss
An audiologist must perform diagnostic testing to determine whether someone has conductive or sensorineural hearing loss. A hearing test has three parts: air conduction, bone conduction, and speech testing. You’ll be listening for soft beeping sounds or repeating words for these tests, which takes about 15 – 20 minutes to complete. The audiologist may also do tympanometry testing, which assesses how your eardrum moves. After the results of the tests, the audiologist can diagnose the type of hearing loss you have.
Treatment
Hearing loss type determines what type of treatment you require. Medical treatment such as antibiotics may help reduce inflammation if an infection causes it for those with conductive hearing loss. Surgical procedures may also help restore function if the damage was done to your ear drum, ear canal, or other structures in your middle ear. A bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is an excellent option for those with chronic middle ear infections.
Meanwhile, treatments for sensorineural hearing loss range from hearing aids to cochlear implants. Hearing aids come in various sizes and styles and can fit a mild to profound hearing loss. The best hearing aids for severe hearing loss are BTE or ITE styles. If you have severe hearing loss and poor speech understanding, cochlear implants are another option.
Hearing aids vs cochlear implants
Hearing Aids
Are you considering a hearing aid?
Read more about the best hearing aid brands here.
What to do next
You’ll want to find a doctor of hearing healthcare and schedule a hearing test. After your diagnostic testing, the audiologist will explain your results and review your best treatment options. If you have hearing loss, prevent further damage by protecting your ears from loud noises or loud sounds with proper hearing protection and safe decibel levels. Then, with the right combination of medical and hearing device treatment, you can take control of your hearing loss and start living life to the fullest.
Conclusion:
Hearing loss have different causes and treatment options. If you have hearing loss, you must seek out medical advice. This way, you’ll know more about your specific situation and what treatment options will help. With proper care and early detection, you can ensure that any degree of impairment does not become permanent, so don’t let fear stop you from taking action today.
