Conductive hearing loss can be as a result of a build-up of earwax, an ear infection or accumulation of fluid in the middle ear. You may have noticed that your ears feel clogged when you are on a plan.
10%
Conductive hearing loss is less common, affecting only 10% of all hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss is when sounds cannot travel freely through the eardrum, outer ear or past the tiny delicate bones in the middle ear. There are several different causes of conductive hearing loss.
Changes in air pressure can also cause temporary conductive hearing loss. The different and sudden change of pressure as the plane takes off can make your ears feel uncomfortable and your hearing muffled. Genetics can also play a part with otosclerosis resulting in abnormal bone growth near the middle ear.
Conductive hearing loss is usually only a temporary problem. However, it can nonetheless be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful and you may find that you are struggling to hear.
Your ear consists of three main parts: the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer part of your ear directs the sound to your eardrum then the sound vibrations are sent through your middle ear through the small ear bones before it finally reaches your inner ear or cochlea.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot get through the outer and middle ear. You may find it hard to hear soft sounds, while louder sounds may seem muffled. With conductive hearing loss, your hearing can be similar to if you wear earplugs or put cotton wool in your ears. While it can often heal itself, surgery or medicine can be used to fix conductive hearing loss.
The key difference between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss is that different parts of your ear are affected. While conductive hearing loss occurs as a result of an issue in the outer or middle ear preventing sound passing, sensorineural hearing is caused by damage to the sensory part of the ear. This is located in the inner ear where sound waves transmitted to the brain. Conductive hearing loss is normally temporary with mild symptoms. Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, but it can be treated with hearing aids. Some people may experience both at the same time – this is called mixed hearing loss.
The most common sign that you have conductive hearing loss is that sounds appear quieter, although not distorted. You may find that you need to turn up the volume on your television or ask people to repeat themselves. It can feel like your ears are covered or as if you are wearing earplugs. Other common signs of conductive hearing loss include:
If you experience any of these symptoms then you should schedule a consultation with a hearing care professional or doctor. It may be that you have conductive hearing loss and require treatment, or it may be a sign of some other problem within your ears that requires investigation and treatment.
There are a variety of causes linked to conductive hearing loss which can affect the ear canal or outer and middle ear. These include:
As there are many potential causes of conductive hearing loss, it will need to be diagnosed by your doctor or hearing care professional. They will ask you various questions about your hearing loss, symptoms and other health questions. They will also undertake an examination of your ears and look for any blockage, damage or infection. They may also carry out certain other tests such as:
Once your doctor or hearing care professional has diagnosed you with conductive hearing loss, they will then recommend the best course of treatment for you, depending on what has caused it.
While sensorineural hearing loss is permanent, in most cases, conductive hearing loss is temporary and will either self-resolve or can be dealt with by treating the underlying condition that’s caused it. Some treatments for conductive hearing loss include:
Impacted earwax
Impacted earwax can be treated with warm-water irrigation as long as you have had no previous infections, injuries or surgery to your ear or experienced a perforated eardrum. It’s generally a safe treatment and best carried out by your doctor or hearing care professional. Never attempt to clear the impacted earwax yourself by using an ear swab or any other object as you risk pushing the wax further into your ear and causing serious damage to your ear and hearing.
Infection of the outer ear
If you have an outer ear infection then your doctor will remove the damaged tissue and apply ear drops. If the infection is particularly severe, your doctor may advise you using a wick which is put in the ear for two or three days and this can help ensure that the medication targets the affected area. You may also be prescribed oral antibiotics.
Eardrum perforation
As long as you keep the ear canal clean, then the perforation should heal on its own. However, if there’s an infection then you may need oral medication or antibiotic ear drops to treat it. You may require tympanoplasty if the eardrum hasn’t healed after two months which will use grafts to repair the hole in your eardrum.
Infection
An infection causing fluid to build up could prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear. Myringotomy is a surgical incision into the eardrum that releases the fluid and relieve pressure in the ear. A sample of the fluid may also be checked to see if there are any viruses or bacteria present.
When you have completed treatment for your conductive hearing loss, you shouldn’t experience further problems. However, it’s important to continue to monitor your hearing and if you have any concerns or the symptoms of conductive hearing loss return, then contact your doctor or hearing care professional.
If you have noticed a difference in your hearing lately or your ears have begun to feel clogged and uncomfortable, then you should schedule a consultation with a hearing care professional or your doctor as soon as possible. The world is full of fantastic sounds – music, children laughing, birds chirping – so don’t miss out on the sounds you love.
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