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:
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:
Earwax buildup (cerumen impaction)
Fluid in the middle ear (ear infection or otitis media)
Perforated eardrum
Problems with the ear bones (ossicles)
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Symptoms:
Reduced hearing clarity
Feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
Pain or discharge (in case of infection)
Hearing improves when the sound is made louder
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