Explore the primary types of hearing loss—conductive, sensorineural, and mixed—along with their common causes. Understand how conditions like infections, aging, noise exposure, and genetic factors impact hearing health across different age groups. This overview provides essential insights into diagnosis and potential treatments for hearing impairments.

Key Insights into Types and Causes of Hearing Impairment

Hearing loss varies from mild to profound and can occur at any age due to different factors. Common causes include viral infections, aging, nerve damage, environmental noise, or genetic issues. Some infants are born with hearing difficulties caused by inherited traits. Congenital hearing loss occurs at birth, while acquired hearing loss develops over time. This article covers the main types of hearing impairment and their typical causes.

Conductive Hearing Loss
This form results from problems with the outer or middle ear, such as ear canal abnormalities, infections, fluid accumulation, or perforated eardrums. Other factors include earwax buildup, benign tumors, or foreign objects blocking sound transfer. Otosclerosis, a middle ear condition, can also impede hearing.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss
This type involves inner ear or nerve damage. Causes include viral illnesses, head trauma, exposure to loud noise, aging, genetic factors, or inner ear conditions like Meniere’s disease. Some medications, especially those used to treat cancer, can also damage the auditory nerve.

Mixed Hearing Loss
When both conductive and sensorineural problems coexist, it is classified as mixed hearing loss. This often results from head injuries or prolonged loud noise exposure, particularly among older adults.