Types of hearing loss (1415)

Hearing loss can happen in any part of the ear. This includes the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Hearing loss can happen in one or more one parts of the ear. Each type of hearing loss has different treatment options.

Conductive Hearing Loss

This is when sound cannot get through the outer or middle ear. Conductive hearing loss makes sounds quieter. The amount of hearing loss and the treatment depend on the cause. Common causes include:

• Problems with outer or middle ear.
• Damage to the eardrum.
• Fluid or infection in the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss can be short-term or permanent. Medicine, surgery, or changes to surroundings may treat short term hearing loss. Hearing aids or other amplification devices are suggested for permanent hearing loss.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is a permanent hearing loss in the inner ear. This hearing loss can be congenital (born with it). It may be acquired (hearing loss happened sometime after birth). Sensorineural hearing loss may get worse over time. Common causes include:

• Family history of hearing loss (genetic factors).
• Birth-related complications, including prematurity.
• Malformation of the inner ear.
• Medicines that are toxic to hearing.
• Certain bacterial or viral infections.
• Sensorineural hearing loss can range from mild to profound. It can cause sounds to be quieter and less clear. This type of hearing loss cannot be treated by medicine or surgery. Children with sensorineural hearing loss are often helped by hearing aids or other systems that make sounds louder. Some children may be helped by a cochlear implant. It will depend on how severe their hearing loss is.

Mixed Hearing Loss

A mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It can be short term if the child has an ear infection in the middle ear. It can also be permanent.

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)

This is a hearing problem between the cochlea and the hearing nerve or with the hearing nerve itself. The signals are not sent to the brain all the time. Common causes of include:

• Hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) requiring exchange transfusions.
• Premature birth or low birth weight.
• Lack of oxygen supply. Genetic factors.
• Neurological conditions like Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.

The amount of dysfunction in a person with ANSD may be different and can change over time.

• Some people have little or no difficulty hearing.
• Some people say they can hear but not understand, especially with background noise.
• Some people have changing hearing abilities. They report good-hearing days and bad-hearing days.
• Some people with ANSD are considered deaf. Treatment depends on the severity of the hearing loss.

First, your child’s hearing threshold will be tested. This is the softest level your child detects sound. This is tested in a sound booth. It may take several appointment to get this information.

For children with ANSD in one ear:

• There may be different recommendations. First, hearing thresholds are checked. The best options for your child will be discussed.

For children with ANSD in both ears:

• A trial with traditional hearing aids is suggested.

For children with responses in the mild to severe hearing loss range:

• We suggest continued use of hearing aids.

For children with responses in the profound hearing loss range:

We may make a referral to the cochlear implant team.

A child may move from wearing a hearing aid to being a cochlear implant candidate. This happens if they have poor progress in speech or speech understanding while using hearing aids.

For more health and wellness information

Check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents