Answering the Question: What is Conductive Hearing Loss?

If a person has trouble hearing because of the ear’s inability to conduct sound waves, he is suffering from conductive hearing loss. A congenital absence or malformation can result in this type of hearing loss or it may be attributable to a blockage in the ear canal. Complete restoration of hearing is attainable with the proper treatment for many varieties of conductive hearing loss.

Numerous congenital issues can result in conductive hearing loss. For instance, someone may be born with an unopened ear canal, or their ear canal might not have developed at all. Deformation of inner ear structures can prevent proper hearing. In certain circumstances these problems can be remedied with surgery. Those that can’t may be remedied with a hearing aid. Congenital problems are one of the less frequent reasons for conductive hearing loss.

Wax or fluid accumulation in the outer ear is one of the more common reasons for conductive hearing loss. Ear wax buildup and infections of the ear can lower an individual’s ability to hear clearly. Prescribed antibiotics resolve ear infections, while a simple cleaning can be sufficient to handle a buildup of wax.

Middle ear buildup can also trigger conductive hearing loss. Fluid accumulation is the most common origin of this problem. Ear infections are a frequent reason for this issue, particularly in kids. Sinus pressure from the common cold or allergies can put pressure on the middle ear, putting a damper on an individual’s hearing. Tumors in the middle ear can also be responsible for conductive hearing loss, but this disorder is uncommon.

Conductive hearing loss can be attributable to other problems, such as the presence of a foreign body in the ear canal or a perforated eardrum. Conductive hearing loss ordinarily arises on its own, but there is the potential for it to overlap with other types of hearing loss. Consult with a hearing care specialist right away if you encounter any unexplained hearing loss. Oftentimes full hearing can be restored with appropriate treatment.