Understanding the Different Types of Hearing Loss in Montgomery Patients

Hearing loss affects millions of Americans, and here in Montgomery, we see patients every day who are dealing with various forms of hearing impairment. At Hearing Consultants, we believe that understanding the type of hearing loss you're experiencing is the first step toward finding the right solution. Each type has different causes, characteristics, and treatment approaches, and knowing these differences can help you make informed decisions about your hearing health.

The Three Main Categories of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss typically falls into three main categories: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. Each type affects different parts of the auditory system and requires different treatment approaches.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type we see in our practice. This occurs when there's damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the nerve pathways that carry sound signals from the inner ear to the brain. The delicate hair cells in the cochlea, which are responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals, can become damaged or die over time.

Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

• Natural aging process (presbycusis)
• Prolonged exposure to loud noise
• Certain medications that can damage hearing
• Head trauma
• Genetics
• Viral infections affecting the inner ear
• Diseases such as Ménière's disease

People with sensorineural hearing loss often describe difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments. They may find that sounds seem muffled or that people appear to be mumbling. High-pitched sounds, like children's voices or birdsong, are often particularly difficult to hear.

This type of hearing loss is typically permanent because the damaged hair cells in the inner ear cannot regenerate. Treatment usually involves hearing aids, which amplify sounds and help compensate for the loss. In severe cases, cochlear implants may be recommended.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves cannot efficiently travel through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones of the middle ear. Think of it as a blockage or interference in the mechanical pathway that sound travels before reaching the inner ear.

Common causes include:

• Earwax buildup
• Fluid in the middle ear from colds or allergies
• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Perforated eardrum
• Problems with the small bones in the middle ear
• Objects stuck in the ear canal
• Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear (otosclerosis)

Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss often can be treated medically or surgically. For example, earwax removal, treatment of infections with antibiotics, or surgical procedures to repair the eardrum or middle ear bones can often restore hearing to normal or near-normal levels.

People with conductive hearing loss typically experience sounds as being quieter or muffled, but speech usually remains clear if it's loud enough. They may find it easier to hear in noisy environments compared to people with sensorineural hearing loss.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. This means there's damage in both the inner ear or auditory nerve (sensorineural component) and in the outer or middle ear (conductive component).

For example, someone who has age-related hearing loss (sensorineural) might also develop an ear infection (conductive), resulting in mixed hearing loss. Treatment for mixed hearing loss addresses both components. The conductive portion may be treated medically or surgically, while the sensorineural portion typically requires hearing aids or other assistive devices.

How We Diagnose Different Types of Hearing Loss

At Hearing Consultants, we use comprehensive testing to determine not only the degree of your hearing loss but also the type. Our evaluation process includes:

Pure-Tone Audiometry: This test helps us understand which frequencies you can hear and at what volume. By testing both air conduction (through headphones) and bone conduction (using a small device placed behind your ear), we can distinguish between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Speech Recognition Testing: This evaluates how well you understand speech at different volume levels, providing insight into how your hearing loss affects your daily communication.

Tympanometry: This test measures how well your eardrum moves, helping us identify problems in the middle ear that might indicate conductive hearing loss.

Otoscopic Examination: We carefully examine your ear canal and eardrum to identify any visible issues such as earwax buildup, infection, or structural problems.

Treatment Approaches for Different Types

The treatment path depends entirely on the type and severity of hearing loss you're experiencing.

For sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids are the primary treatment option. Modern hearing aids are sophisticated devices that can be programmed specifically for your hearing profile. We use Real Ear Measurements during the fitting process to verify that your hearing aids are providing the correct amplification across all frequencies. This verification step ensures you're getting the maximum benefit from your devices.

For conductive hearing loss, treatment might include medical intervention such as antibiotics for infections, removal of earwax or foreign objects, or surgical procedures to repair damage to the eardrum or middle ear bones. In some cases where surgery isn't appropriate, bone conduction hearing aids or other assistive devices may be recommended.

For mixed hearing loss, we typically address the conductive component first if possible, then fit hearing aids to address the remaining sensorineural component.

The Importance of Early Intervention

Regardless of the type of hearing loss, early intervention is important. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. Recent research has shown a strong connection between hearing loss and cognitive function, which is why we also offer cognitive screening services to help assess each patient's overall cognitive health.

Schedule Your Hearing Evaluation

If you're experiencing any signs of hearing loss—difficulty understanding conversations, frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or needing to turn up the television volume—we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive hearing evaluation with our team at Hearing Consultants.

Our experienced audiologists, Dr. Timothy Teague and Dr. Amanda Hoffman, will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the type and degree of your hearing loss, then work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. We're located at 10766 Montgomery Road in Cincinnati and are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call us at 513-916-3656 to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward better hearing.