Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. It can also be partial to one ear or affect both years. Whatever its nature, the symptoms depend on the type of hearing loss. Treatment options also depend on the type and symptoms of your hearing loss condition.

Here is an overview of the four main types of hearing loss and their symptoms:

1. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most prevalent type of hearing loss. It is caused by damages to the auditory nerve or the hair-like cells lining the inner ear. The tiny hair-like cells are responsible for conducting sound to the auditory nerve, which then transmits these sounds into the brain. Damages to either of these parts limit the ears’ ability to conduct sounds, often causing permanent hearing loss.

Common symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss include:

Tinnitus, whereby there is consistent buzzing or ringing in the ears
Feeling dizzy or off-balance
Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds, including children’s and women’s voices
Noises fluctuating from too quiet to too loud
Difficulty following conversations in loud environments or where there are multiple speakers
Perceiving others’ speech as mumbled or slurred

Sensorineural hearing loss affects both children and adults. Causes in children are limited to genetic defects and infections passed from the mother to the fetus. Causes in adults are more diverse, and the most common are old age, infections, and exposure to loud noises. Fortunately, this hearing impairment can be treated using hearing aids, assistive listening devices, and cochlear implants.

2. Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is not as prevalent as sensorineural hearing loss. It is caused by obstructions in the middle and outer parts of the year. These obstructions can be tissue damage to the ear caused by accidents of illnesses or foreign objects in the middle ear.

Conductive hearing loss can be either permanent or temporary, depending on the condition’s severity. Most people suffering from this condition can clearly hear sounds but often struggle with volume levels. The common symptoms of conductive hearing loss include:

Pain and pressure in one or both ears
Better hearing one ear
Bad odors emanating from the ear canal
Inconsistency in the patient’s sound tones
Difficulty holding conversations via the phone

The causes of conductive hearing loss vary depending on the damaged part of the ear. Common causes include:

Wax impaction
Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear)
Stenosis (narrowing of the canal)
Tumors
Exostoses (bony protrusions growing inside the canal)
Foreign objects lodged in the ear

Fortunately, this condition is treatable using medical and surgical procedures.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural signs, symptoms, and causes. For example, sensorineural hearing loss caused by aging can turn to mixed hearing loss when the patient sustains injuries to their middle and outer years. Additionally, a patient struggling with conductive hearing loss is likely to develop mixed hearing loss as they age and gradually lose their natural hearing capability.

The causes and symptoms of mixed hearing loss are similar to the individual causes and symptoms of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. Additionally, treatment options depend on the severity of either condition.

4. Neural Hearing Loss

Neural hearing loss is one of the most severe types of hearing loss. It is caused by a missing or damaged auditory nerve. It is difficult to treat, especially if the auditory nerve is missing or badly damaged. To this end, cochlear implants and hearing aids are mostly ineffective, as they rely on the auditory nerve to conduct sounds to the brain. However, more sophisticated treatments may be effective – for example, Auditory Brainstem Implants (ABI) may work for less-severe cases.

Diagnosing Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is diagnosed via a range of tests and evaluations. The tests determine the type and severity of your hearing loss. The common hearing loss tests are:

Audiogram
Otoscopy
Tympanogram
Acoustic Reflexes

It is important to get diagnosed to determine the individual causes and symptoms of your hearing loss. The diagnosis will also help determine suitable treatment options.

Final Thoughts

Hearing is one of the body’s most important senses, and hearing loss can complicate and disrupt your everyday life. As such, it is advisable to seek professional help as soon as you notice a problem with your hearing. Fortunately, many types of hearing loss are treatable when diagnosed early.

Are you concerned that you may be suffering from hearing loss? Look out for the symptoms highlighted above and click here to learn more about diagnosing hearing loss.

The 4 Main Types of Hearing Loss & Their Symptoms – A Brief Guide