There are only two types of hearing loss: conductive, and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is caused by an obstruction of some type that prevents sound from entering the auditory system properly. This could be anything from wax blocking the ear canal to an ear infection to growths in the middle ear, and it can sometimes be reversed via proper medical treatment. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent, though, and occurs deeper in the auditory system, in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss can occur either in the inner ear, also called the cochlea (the sensory portion), or along the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain (the neural portion). However, in terms of categorization they are considered together as sensorineural hearing loss. Both sensorineural and conductive hearing losses can occur in the same ear, in which case it is called a mixed hearing loss, because it has a mix of both types.
Each type of hearing loss can be caused by many more than four things. If you’re looking for references try the American Speech Language Hearing Association (www.asha.org) or the American Academy of Audiology (www.audiology.org).
Comments on What are the four types of hearing loss?
Ellis
1) Ear canal obstructions
2) Long term exposure to loud noises
3) Genetic (inherited)
4) Purposeful (temporary) hearing loss, for example when your mother starts nagging.
Noel
Conduction
Sensory
Neural
Sensoroneural
Albert
There are only two types of hearing loss: conductive, and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss is caused by an obstruction of some type that prevents sound from entering the auditory system properly. This could be anything from wax blocking the ear canal to an ear infection to growths in the middle ear, and it can sometimes be reversed via proper medical treatment. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent, though, and occurs deeper in the auditory system, in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss can occur either in the inner ear, also called the cochlea (the sensory portion), or along the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain (the neural portion). However, in terms of categorization they are considered together as sensorineural hearing loss. Both sensorineural and conductive hearing losses can occur in the same ear, in which case it is called a mixed hearing loss, because it has a mix of both types.
Each type of hearing loss can be caused by many more than four things. If you’re looking for references try the American Speech Language Hearing Association (www.asha.org) or the American Academy of Audiology (www.audiology.org).