Types of Hearing Loss: What Each One Means for You

Hearing loss is not one single thing. It comes in three main types, and knowing which one you have makes a big difference, because the fix for one can be as simple as clearing earwax, while another calls for hearing aids. Here is what each type means.

1. Conductive hearing loss

This happens when sound cannot pass freely through the outer or middle ear to reach the inner ear. It is often temporary and treatable.

Common causes: earwax buildup, ear infections, fluid behind the eardrum, a perforated eardrum, or problems with the tiny middle-ear bones.

What helps: it depends on the cause. Sometimes it is as easy as treating an infection or clearing earwax. Other cases may need medical or surgical care, and some benefit from hearing aids.

2. Sensorineural hearing loss

This is the most common permanent type. It comes from damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear or to the hearing nerve, and once those hair cells are gone, they do not grow back.

Common causes: aging, long-term noise exposure, genetics, certain medications, and some illnesses.

What helps: hearing aids are the go-to solution, and modern devices are excellent at bringing back the sounds you have been missing. For severe to profound loss where hearing aids are not enough, a cochlear implant may be an option.

3. Mixed hearing loss

Just what it sounds like: a combination of conductive and sensorineural loss in the same ear. For example, someone with age-related inner-ear loss who also has a buildup of earwax.

What helps: we treat the conductive part where we can, then address the remaining sensorineural loss, usually with hearing aids.

How we tell which type you have

A complete hearing test does more than measure how quiet a sound you can hear. Our registered audiologist checks the health of your ear canal and eardrum, measures how sound travels through your ear, and pinpoints exactly where the loss is happening. That tells us the type, the degree, and the right plan, all explained to you in plain language.

The first step is simple

You do not need to guess what type of hearing loss you have, or whether you have any at all. A painless hearing test gives you clear answers, and no referral is needed. Book a hearing test at either Edmonton clinic or our Calgary location.