Hearing impairments affect millions of people worldwide, impacting their ability to communicate and interact with their environment – and that’s why understanding the different types of impairments is essential for recognizing the challenges faced by those affected and exploring appropriate treatment options at their local hearing clinic. Impairments can generally be categorized by audiologists into three main types: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed loss. Let’s take a closer look.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are unable to efficiently pass through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (ossicles) of the middle ear. This type of impairment can result from various issues, including ear infections, earwax buildup, eardrum perforation, or otosclerosis.
Conductive hearing loss is often temporary and can be treated medically or surgically, depending on the underlying cause.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs due to damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve pathways leading to the brain. This type of impairment is usually permanent and can be caused by a variety of causes, including aging, noise exposure, genetic factors, or ototoxic medications.
Treatment options for sensorineural loss include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive listening devices that amplify sound and improve communication.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural. This type of impairment involves issues in both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve. Causes can include a combination of factors mentioned above, such as an ear infection (conductive) combined with age-related loss (sensorineural).
Treatment for mixed loss typically involves addressing both the conductive and sensorineural components. This may require a combination of medical treatment, surgery, and the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices.
Visit Your Local Toronto Hearing Clinic
Understanding the different types of hearing impairments is crucial for identifying the appropriate treatments and support needed for those affected. By speaking to an audiologist and recognizing and addressing these impairments, you can significantly improve your quality of life.
We want to help you hear better. Our Toronto hearing clinic has everything you need to help your hearing, from hearing tests and hearing aid repair to replacement batteries, tinnitus treatments in Toronto, and so much more. With a team of audiologists, who know what it takes to deliver high-quality and compassionate care, our services are perfect for those with age-related hearing concerns and children. Plus, Toronto Family Hearing also performs ear cleaning and ear wax removal in Toronto for those with related concerns. If you want quality care that can make a difference, contact us today at (416) 792-9400 or [email protected]