Hearing loss can affect people of all ages, and it’s more common than you might think. About one in eight people over age 12 has hearing loss in both ears. Although hearing loss is relatively common, not everyone realizes that there are three types of hearing loss, and not all types of hearing loss are permanent.
At Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing in Houston, Texas, Conrad Kyle McCutcheon, MD, FACS, and Mary Lippeatt, Au.D., believe understanding the type of hearing loss you’re experiencing is the first step toward effective treatment.
Here’s what you should know about the three main types of hearing loss and how we can help.
Conductive hearing loss happens when sound waves can’t properly travel through your outer or middle ear. This might be caused by:
People with conductive hearing loss often say sounds seem muffled or distant. The good news is that this type is often temporary and treatable.
Pro tip: You can reduce your risk of developing a common type of conductive hearing loss — airplane ear — by yawning or chewing gum during takeoff and landing. If possible, avoid flying when you have a sinus infection, which can make airplane ear worse.
If you have conductive hearing loss, Dr. McCutcheon may recommend treatment options that include medication, minor procedures (to remove earwax, for example), or surgery to correct the problem.
This is the most common type of hearing loss, often caused by damage to your inner ear (cochlea) or your auditory nerve. About 66,000 Americans are diagnosed with this type of hearing loss each year.
Common causes include:
Dr. Lippeatt confirms sensorineural hearing loss through a complete audiometric evaluation — the gold standard for diagnosing this type of hearing loss — which includes tuning fork tests, a pure tone audiogram (PTA), and tympanometry to assess how well sound moves through the ear and to pinpoint where the hearing loss occurs.
Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent, but many people benefit from hearing aids or other assistive listening devices. If your hearing loss is severe, cochlear implants may be an option.
If your hearing assessments indicate that you have sensorineural hearing loss, Dr. Lippeatt can walk you through all of your hearing aid options here at Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing.
Sometimes, people experience a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This is called mixed hearing loss, and it means there may be problems in both your outer/middle ear and your inner ear or nerve pathways.
Dr. McCutcheon and Dr. Lippeatt work together to address both components of your hearing loss. Treatment often involves addressing the conductive component first, such as removing earwax or treating infections, and then exploring hearing aids or other solutions for the sensorineural component.
If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing — for example, you’re asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the TV, or struggling in noisy places — it’s time to get your hearing checked.
At Memorial Village Sinus and Hearing, our experienced team offers advanced hearing evaluations and personalized treatment plans. We’re here to help you hear clearly and confidently again.
Call us today at 281-990-4259 to schedule your evaluation — we’ll help you take the next step toward better hearing.
