As audiologists, we often meet people who ask, “What kind of hearing loss do I have?” It’s a good question! Understanding the type of hearing loss you have can help you find the best way to improve your hearing. Let’s talk about the three main types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss happens when there is a problem in the outer or middle ear. These parts of the ear help sound waves travel to the inner ear. If something blocks or damages this path, it can cause conductive hearing loss.
Some common reasons for conductive hearing loss include ear wax buildup, ear infections, fluid in the ear, or even a hole in the eardrum. Sometimes, a person might have tiny bones in their ear that are not moving as they should. This can also cause conductive hearing loss.
The good news is that conductive hearing loss is often temporary. Many times, it can be treated with medicine, ear wax removal, or surgery. If you have conductive hearing loss, we will work together to find out what is causing it and how we can fix it.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. This type happens when there is damage to the inner ear or the hearing nerve. The inner ear has tiny hair cells that help turn sound into signals that the brain can understand. When these hair cells or the hearing nerve are damaged, it becomes hard to hear.
There are many reasons why someone might have sensorineural hearing loss. It could be due to getting older, being around loud noises for a long time, certain medicines, or even an illness. Sometimes, people are born with this type of hearing loss.
Unlike conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent. But don’t worry! There are many ways to help improve your hearing. Hearing aids are a great option, and for some people, cochlear implants can help. We will discuss the best options for you based on your needs and lifestyle.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is when a person has both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means there could be a problem in the outer or middle ear, as well as damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve.
For example, you might have earwax buildup causing conductive hearing loss and also have damage to the inner ear due to aging or noise exposure. In cases like this, we will need to treat both types of hearing loss to help you hear better.
How Do We Find Out What Kind of Hearing Loss You Have?
If you think you have hearing loss, the first step is to visit an audiologist for a hearing test. This test is simple and painless. During the test, you will sit in a quiet room and listen to different sounds through headphones. The test helps us understand how well you hear sounds of different pitches and volumes.
We may also check how well your ear is working by using other tests, like looking inside your ear or testing how your ear responds to sounds. These tests help us find out if the hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.
What Should You Do Next?
If you have hearing loss, you are not alone! Hearing loss is very common, especially as people get older. The most important thing is to get help as soon as you notice a problem. The earlier we find out what kind of hearing loss you have, the sooner we can start finding solutions to help you hear better.
Don’t wait to get your hearing checked. If you feel like sounds are muffled, or if you’re asking people to repeat themselves often, it might be time for a hearing test. We’re here to help you understand your hearing loss and find the best way to improve your hearing.
Audiologists in NYC
Knowing what type of hearing loss you have can help you take the right steps to hear better. Whether it’s conductive, sensorineural, or mixed, there are ways to help.
Audio Help Hearing Centers connect you to expert audiologists in NYC. Learn more about hearing loss and start your journey toward better hearing today!
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