Conductive hearing loss occurs when all of the sound that reaches the ear no longer passes through the outer and middle ear. There are 4 parts of the ear, the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, and the auditory nerve, which is responsible for sending electrical signals to the brain that convey sound. The outer and middle ear have special structures that are designed to effectively move sound into the inner ear. If these structures are blocked, sound is no longer able to effectively pass through the outer and middle ear. This is called conductive hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is different for everyone. Some people may lose the ability to detect very low sounds while others may lose the ability to detect higher-pitched sounds. However, there are many common symptoms across all cases of hearing loss.
These can include:
Conductive hearing loss is very common and can be caused by a variety of reasons. These can include:
Risk factors include frequent ear infections in the first few years of life.
There are several tests your doctor may use to diagnose hearing loss in addition to taking your medical history. Conductive hearing loss does have a genetic factor in some cases, so it’s important to share any history of conductive hearing loss with your doctor. When dealing with conductive hearing loss, your doctor will do an extensive physical exam of your ears to look for anything that may be in the way of your outer and middle ear, like earwax, an ear infection, or even a tiny object. They may also do a whisper test or a tuning fork test to see how sensitive you are to quiet sounds.
Complications that can come from conductive hearing loss include:
Treatment of conductive hearing loss depends on the cause and how severe the hearing loss is. Conductive hearing loss is typically very treatable as long as it is identified and addressed quickly.
Treatment options include:
Loss of hearing can be isolating. Consider sharing with friends and family that you’re dealing with hearing loss. Ask others to speak more clearly or loudly and consider using hearing aids. Turning off any background noises and choosing quiet places for conversation can also be helpful changes when living with hearing loss.