What are the different types of hearing loss?

There are three main types of hearing loss, and each can be caused by different factors and require different technology or treatments. The three types of hearing loss include:

1. Sensorineural hearing loss: A problem with the auditory nerve or damage to the inner ear. This commonly occurs from damage to the small hair cells in the auditory system.  Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss in adults and accounts for more than 90% of hearing loss in all hearing aid wearers. The most common cause of this hearing loss are age related changes and noise exposure.  Sensorineural hearing loss may also be due to disturbance of inner ear circulation, increased inner ear fluid pressure or disturbance of nerve transmission.
2. Conductive hearing loss: When there is a problem with the external or middle ear. This loss happens when sound is not conducted efficiently through the ear canal, eardrum or tiny bones of the inner ear, resulting in reduction of loudness of the sound that is heard. Conductive hearing losses may be due to earwax blocking the ear canal, fluid/infection in the middle ear, obstruction of the ear canal, hole in the eardrum or disease of the middle ear bones.  People with conductive hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids, medical implants, medication or surgical options.
3. Mixed hearing loss: When there are problems in the middle ear and inner ear.  Because this type of hearing loss involves both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, treatment options from hearing aids to surgery depends on the symptoms experienced and nature of impairment.