Understanding Hearing
Not all hearing loss is the same. Identifying which part of the hearing system is affected determines whether hearing aids, medical treatment, or further testing is the right next step. A comprehensive hearing assessment can tell you exactly which type you have.
The Four Main Types
Each type is defined by which part of the auditory system is affected — and that determines how it's treated.
Inner ear (cochlea) / nerve pathways
Sensorineural hearing loss accounts for about 90% of all hearing losses. It occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. The most common causes are aging and exposure to loud noise.
Treatment
In most cases this type of hearing loss cannot be medically or surgically corrected. Hearing aids, however, can be very beneficial.
Outer or middle ear
Hearing loss identified in the outer or middle ear is conductive hearing loss. Sound cannot be conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (ossicles) of the middle ear. The result is a reduction in sound level or the ability to hear faint sounds.
Treatment
Conductive hearing loss is often temporary or medically treatable — for example through wax removal, treating infection, or surgical repair.
Combination of locations
Mixed hearing loss involves a combination of any of the other hearing losses and disorders described here. It typically affects both the outer/middle ear and the inner ear or nerve pathways.
Treatment
In most cases mixed hearing loss can be successfully treated with the appropriate hearing aids — sometimes alongside medical treatment for the conductive component.
Beyond the cochlea — auditory nerve or brain
Retrocochlear hearing loss occurs beyond the cochlea (inner ear) — either along the 8th cranial nerve (auditory nerve), areas of the brain that process speech, or other areas of the central auditory system.
Treatment
If a retrocochlear pathology is suspected, additional medical tests are recommended to identify the underlying cause and guide treatment.
Quick Reference
Sound travels through three sections of the ear — outer, middle, and inner — then on to the auditory nerve and the brain. Damage anywhere along this path can cause hearing loss, but where it occurs determines what type it is.
A comprehensive hearing test from one of our audiologists will identify the type and severity of your hearing loss — and what to do next.
