Types of Hearing Loss

At REM Audiology in Voorhees and Marlton, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we know that hearing loss can be a frustrating experience for you and your loved ones. But knowing the type of hearing loss you are experiencing is the first step toward regaining your hearing.

CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS

This type of hearing loss usually involves the inability to hear faint sounds or a reduction in sound level. Conductive hearing loss normally occurs when sound does not properly travel through the outer ear canal to the ear drum and ossicles in the middle ear, but can normally be corrected with medicine, surgery or hearing aids.

Possible causes of conductive hearing loss include:

  • Ear infection
  • Fluid in the middle ear
  • Allergies
  • Impacted earwax

SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS

This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss and occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss reduces one’s ability to hear faint sounds and can make normal sounds seem muffled. This type of hearing loss cannot be corrected medically or surgically, but certain hearing aids can help.

Possible causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

  • Illness
  • Aging
  • Head trauma
  • Exposure to loud noises

MIXED HEARING LOSS

This is when a person has a combination of conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss, meaning there is permanent damage to the inner ear and a dysfunction in the mechanics of the middle ear. Hearing aids can often help people with mixed hearing loss, but must be closely observed by hearing professionals due to common ear infections.

To learn more about these types of hearing loss, or if you think you are experiencing any of these, please contact our hearing professionals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Voorhees or Marlton, New Jersey so they can evaluate your hearing and determine which form of treatment is best for you.

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The purpose of this hearing assessment and/or demonstration is for hearing wellness and to determine if the consumer may benefit from using hearing aids, which may include selling and fitting hearing aids. Products demonstrated may differ from products sold. Assessment conclusion is not a medical diagnosis and further testing may be required to diagnose hearing loss. The use of any hearing aid may not fully restore normal hearing and does not prevent future hearing loss. Hearing instruments may not meet the needs of all hearing-impaired individuals.