Losing the clarity of everyday sounds rarely happens overnight.
For many people in India, it appears gradually — missing doorbells in a busy apartment, turning up the TV during a cricket match, or finding conversations harder to follow in a crowded metro or at a family function.

Because hearing works through a delicate chain — the outer ear collecting sound, the middle ear transferring it, and the inner ear translating it into signals for the brain — difficulties can arise at any point.

This guide from VR Speech and Hearing Clinic, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) explains the main types of hearing loss, how they are diagnosed, and practical steps that make communication easier at home, work, and school.
When you understand where the challenge lies, you can ask better questions, set realistic expectations, and choose solutions that suit your lifestyle.

You’ll also find a simple “Types of Hearing Loss” chart summarising the three categories, common symptoms, and likely causes.

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What Is Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss means your ears are not picking up sounds as clearly as before.
It can range from mild (soft sounds are harder to notice) to profound (even loud speech is difficult).

Some people struggle more with higher pitches like children’s voices or birds. Others find lower tones difficult. You might hear sounds but find words unclear, especially in noisy environments like traffic, markets, weddings, or festivals.

In simple terms, something in the hearing pathway is not working at its best:

• Sound doesn’t travel well through the outer or middle ear.

• The inner ear isn’t converting sound into signals effectively.

• The brain isn’t receiving or interpreting those signals properly.

To check your hearing, an audiologist performs a pure-tone audiometry test.
The result, shown on an audiogram, indicates how loud sounds must be at different pitches for you to hear them. Based on this, hearing is described as mild, moderate, severe, or profound — in one or both ears.

Children and adults experience hearing loss differently.
A child may miss parts of classroom instructions and fall behind unnoticed.
An adult may feel drained after meetings or struggle in busy conversations.

Remember, hearing loss isn’t only about volume — it’s about clarity. That’s why many people say:

“I can hear you, but I can’t understand you.”

If this sounds familiar, it’s time for a quick hearing check at VR Speech and Hearing Clinic.

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Everyday Sound Reference

• Normal conversation: around 60 dB

• Mild loss: Can hear in quiet rooms but struggle with background noise.

• Moderate loss: Conversations sound unclear even face-to-face.

• Severe loss: Most speech inaudible without hearing aids or support.

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How Is Hearing Tested?

Clinicians use several tests to understand your hearing condition clearly:

• Pure-tone audiometry: Measures hearing thresholds.

• Speech recognition scores: Checks clarity.

• Tympanometry: Tests middle-ear movement.

Together, these give a full picture of your hearing health.

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Different Types of Hearing Loss

Doctors group hearing problems into three broad categories depending on where the issue occurs.

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Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This type occurs when the inner ear’s hair cells or auditory nerve fail to pass sound effectively to the brain.
It reduces clarity, not just loudness — people often say,

“I can hear you, but I can’t understand you.”

Common Causes

• Ageing (presbycusis)

• Long-term noise exposure (traffic, factories, loud music, firecrackers)

• Certain medications

• Head injury or infections

• Family history

In Indian cities like Aurangabad, everyday exposure to honking, construction, and festive speakers increases risk over time if ear protection isn’t used.

Symptoms

• Muffled or distorted speech

• Difficulty understanding conversations in noise

• Needing subtitles or higher TV volume

• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing)

• Fatigue after social events

Assessment & Management

Tests: Audiometry, speech tests, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions.
Treatment: Modern digital hearing aids, communication training, and in some cases cochlear implants.

Prevention Tips

• Use earplugs during festivals and loud work environments.

• Follow the 60/60 rule for headphones (max 60% volume for 60 minutes).

• Maintain regular hearing checks after age 40.

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Conductive Hearing Loss

Here, sound cannot pass efficiently through the outer or middle ear — like a door that doesn’t open fully.
The inner ear might be fine, but less sound gets through.

Common Causes

• Earwax buildup

• Middle-ear infections

• Fluid after a cold or sinus issue

• Eardrum perforation

• Otosclerosis (stiff middle-ear bone)

• Foreign objects in the ear (common in children)

Symptoms

• Sounds feel soft or blocked

• Your voice sounds louder or echoey

• Ear pain, pressure, or fullness

• Temporary drop after swimming or cold

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Otoscopy: checks the ear canal and eardrum.

• Tympanometry: checks pressure and mobility.

• Audiogram: identifies air–bone gap.

Treatment may include:

• Wax removal

• Ear drops or antibiotics

• Minor procedures (like grommet insertion)

Prevention

Keep ears dry during colds, avoid inserting objects, and treat infections early — especially in children.

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Mixed Hearing Loss

A mix of sensorineural and conductive components.
For example, long-term age-related inner-ear loss plus new fluid buildup.

Symptoms

• Trouble hearing soft voices

• Feeling of blocked ears

• Tinnitus may appear

• Speech remains unclear even with higher volume

Treatment

Address both sides — medical treatment for the conductive part and amplification for the inner-ear loss.
Your audiologist and ENT at VR Speech and Hearing Clinic will create a customised care plan.

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Causes of Hearing Loss

• Genetics

• Ear infections

• Head injury or trauma

• Loud noise exposure

• Age-related changes

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When to See a Hearing Specialist

Book a hearing test in Aurangabad if you notice:

• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves

• Turning TV or phone volume higher than others prefer

• Hearing but not understanding speech clearly

• Avoiding group conversations due to fatigue

• Tinnitus, pain, or blocked sensation in ears

• Unequal hearing between ears

• Sudden loss after a loud event or cold

• Children not responding to soft sounds

Early diagnosis prevents strain and keeps communication smooth at home, school, and work.

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Conclusion

Understanding the main hearing loss categories — sensorineural, conductive, and mixed — helps you know what’s happening and what to ask at your appointment.
Each relates to a specific part of the ear, so your audiologist’s goal is to find which link needs support.

If you recognise several of these hearing loss symptoms, book a check-up today.
Small changes like better seating, ear hygiene, and properly fitted digital hearing aids can make a huge difference in daily comfort.

Whether you care for children, adults, or seniors, encourage routine ear check-ups just as you would for eyes or teeth.

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FAQs

1. What are the types of hearing loss?
Hearing loss is classified as sensorineural, conductive, or mixed, depending on where the problem occurs.

2. What is mixed conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?
It means both the outer/middle ear and the inner ear are affected. Managing both medically and with hearing aids gives the best outcome.

3. What are the levels of hearing loss?
Mild (soft speech missed), Moderate (normal conversation difficult), Severe–Profound (speech inaudible without amplification).

4. How can I tell if hearing loss is sensorineural or conductive?
Through professional testing. Conductive loss shows an air-bone gap, while sensorineural loss shows reduced sensitivity without that gap.

5. Which hearing loss cannot be fixed completely?
Permanent inner-ear (sensorineural) damage cannot be reversed, but hearing aids and communication strategies significantly improve clarity and confidence.

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👂 VR Speech and Hearing Clinic – Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)

📞 Call or WhatsApp: 9112717179
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