LAST UPDATED: October 18th, 2022 | BY: Stacy Merci
Being common in children, Conductive Hearing loss occurs in every 5 children out of 1000. Ear infections and fluid accumulation in the ear are the two prominent causes of conductive hearing loss.
Conductive hearing loss usually happens to an individual when the outer ear or the middle functioning is abrupt. In this, the inner ear is out from the realms of danger but is unable to function appropriately.
An individual is unable to hear any auditory messages and the louder sounds may be muffled. This shows the inability of the sound waves to get into the ear because of the blocked auditory passage.
Most of the time, it is temporary obstruction or damage to the outer or middle ear. But it could be permanent too, varying upon the source of hearing loss.
If the conductive hearing loss combines with sensorineural hearing loss, then it is termed as “Mixed Hearing loss.”
Depending upon the severity of the condition, different individuals are prescribed different hearing solutions.
The inability of the middle or outer ear is the cause of conductive hearing loss. If any one of them is not working effectively, you are the risk of having conductive hearing loss.
Some of the common causes that block the functioning of the outer ear:
Earwax: Excessive accumulation of the ear wax tends to block the passage causing hearing loss.
Swimmer’s Ear: Often called otitis externa, an ear infection often associated with exposure of one’s with water. It can be corrected by using a cotton swab.
Bony Lesions: An outgrowth of non-cancerous bone because of frequent cold water swimming.
Aural Atresia: Defects of the outer ear, commonly from birth and often seen with defects in the outer ear structure.
Some of the common causes that block the functioning of the middle ear:
Fluctuations In Fluid In The Middle Ear: They are often referred to as acute otitis media. In case of blocking of the middle ear is due to the ear; it is termed as Serous otitis media. Both situations are hazardous, try to consult a specialist at the earliest.
Damage In The Ear Bones: Often results in infections, retracted eardrums, and trauma.
Collapse Eardrum: frequently results in an imbalance of pressure, further causing ear bones to collapse. A hole in the eardrum often results in infection, severe and eustachian tube dysfunction.
Most of the inner ear and the auditory signal passage stay safe. The affected middle ear and the outer ear tend to reduce the speech clarity and enhance the muffled voices. Individuals suffering from Conductive Hearing Loss tend to hear louder volumes with the hope to improve their hearing ability. The following could include some of the common symptoms faced by them:
When one ear lost its hearing ability, it is termed as “Unilateral” hearing loss while when both the ears are unable to hear then it is called “bilateral” hearing loss.
People suffering from Conductive Hearing loss, usually say that they have pain in either both or one ear. They feel sensations of pressure in their ears. They usually tend more a rough time with other individuals to hear about what the other person is saying.
Most of the time, people with conductive hearing loss say that they are facing hearing while having a phonic conversation. They spend more time giving a response. The sounds might seem muffled and a foul odor is coming out of their ears. A feeling of dizziness is quite common among them. They feel they are speaking much louder than other people around them.
Most of the time, an audiologist suggests an individual go through medical or surgical operations. For example: if the cause of conductive hearing loss is excessive accumulation of earwax, or due to ear infection, antibiotics are recommended at first, then surgical procedures are presented to an individual.
In case, the hearing ability isn’t restored, then sometimes the doctors do suggest an individual wear hearing aids or hearing amplifiers. You might have to undergo hearing implantation too if the cause of damage is quite serious like stenosis of the ear canal. These are considered a permanent hearing loss.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I Worry, If I’m Suffering From Conductive Hearing Loss?
Yes, it could be extremely hazardous if the care isn’t taken. Try to seek out an audiologist although it is most of the time, temporary in nature, and be cured by seeking appropriate means of medical treatment. But there are cases, where medical treatment isn’t suggested and the use of hearing aids or hearing amplifiers, even hearing implants are recommended by the doctor.
Why Children Are More Prone To Conductive Hearing Loss?
Conductive hearing loss is common in the child because of their unhealthy lifestyle such as inserting every object in the ears canal. This could happen at any age and to any person who is having an ear infection. But you must avoid inserting foreign objects into your ear if you are having slight itching in it.
How Can I Test For Conductive Hearing Loss?
Weber’s test is performed by softly striking a 512-Hz implement. It is placed in the midline on one’s scalp, or forehead, nasal bones, teeth. If the deafness is conductive, the sounds are going to be heard finest within the affected ear. If the loss is sensorineural, the sounds are going to be heard foremost within the normal ear. Get a .
Are Tinnitus And Conductive Hearing Loss The Same?
Tinnitus refers to the blockages in the ear. If the blockages are in the middle or outer ear, then it is referred to as Conductive Hearing loss. In case of such damages, the sound waves are prevented from entering into the inner ear and the auditory messages are not interpreted by the brain.