What Are the Four Basic Types of Hearing Loss?

By /

Understanding the Different Types of Hearing Loss and Their Treatment Options

Hearing loss can affect anyone — from newborn babies to older adults.
It can happen suddenly or gradually over time, and its impact on communication, relationships, and quality of life can be significant.

To manage hearing loss effectively, it’s important to understand what type of hearing loss you have.
There are four main types of hearing loss, each with different causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Let’s take a closer look.

1. Conductive Hearing Loss

What It Is:

और पढ़ेMandke Hearing Services – Expert Audiology and Hearing Care in Pune

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot properly pass through the outer or middle ear to reach the inner ear (cochlea).

It often results in muffled hearing or a sensation that your ears are blocked or filled.

Common Causes:

Symptoms:

Treatment:

Conductive hearing loss is often temporary and treatable with medical or surgical intervention, such as:

  • Earwax removal

  • Antibiotics for infections

  • Minor ear surgery (like tympanoplasty or ossicular repair)

  • Hearing aids (if permanent damage occurs)

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

What It Is:

Sensorineural hearing loss happens when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve that sends sound signals to the brain.
This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss.

Common Causes:

  • Aging (Presbycusis)

  • Exposure to loud noise

  • Genetic factors

  • Viral infections (like mumps or measles)

  • Certain medications (ototoxic drugs)

  • Head trauma

Symptoms:

  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy places

  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

  • Sounds seem unclear or distorted

  • Normal loudness but poor clarity

Treatment:

While there is no medicine or surgery to completely reverse SNHL, it can be managed effectively with:

  • Digital hearing aids

  • Cochlear implants (for severe or profound loss)

  • Auditory rehabilitation therapy

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

What It Is:

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss — meaning there is a problem in both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or nerve.

Common Causes:

  • Long-term ear infections

  • Trauma or head injury

  • Genetic disorders

  • Aging combined with middle ear issues

Symptoms:

  • Difficulty hearing both low and high-pitched sounds

  • Distorted or muffled hearing

  • Fluctuating hearing levels

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

  • Medical or surgical treatment for the conductive part

  • Hearing aids for the sensorineural component

  • Cochlear implants in severe cases

4. Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)

What It Is:

In auditory neuropathy, the inner ear detects sound normally, but there is a problem in transmitting signals from the ear to the brain.
This makes it difficult to understand speech, even though hearing tests may show normal responses to some sounds.

Common Causes:

  • Damage to the auditory nerve fibers

  • Premature birth or lack of oxygen at birth

  • Genetic mutations

  • Autoimmune or metabolic conditions

Symptoms:

  • Sounds may seem distorted or unclear

  • Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noise

  • Inconsistent hearing ability

Treatment:

  • Hearing aids or cochlear implants (depending on severity)

  • Auditory training and speech therapy

  • Regular audiological monitoring

When to See an Audiologist

If you experience any of the following, get a hearing test as soon as possible:

  • Difficulty understanding conversations

  • Frequently increasing TV or phone volume

  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears

  • Feeling like people are “mumbling”

  • Ear pain or discharge

Early diagnosis helps in timely treatment and better outcomes.

Expert Hearing Care at VR Speech and Hearing Clinic

At VR Speech and Hearing Clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating all four types of hearing loss using advanced technology and personalized care.

Our services include:

  • Comprehensive hearing tests (Pure Tone Audiometry, BERA, OAE)

  • Digital hearing aid fitting and programming

  • Cochlear implant counseling

  • Speech and auditory therapy

Our goal: “Hear Better, Live Better.”

📍 Locations: Pune | Ahmednagar | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
📞 Call: 9112717179
🌐 Website: www.vrhearingclinic.com

Related Posts

Scroll to Top