Understanding conductive hearing loss: Symptoms to treatment

Conductive hearing loss happens when sound cannot travel at full volume through the outer or middle ear, preventing sound from reaching the inner ear.

The inner ear is responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain and, if this process is hindered, it can result in difficulty hearing.

Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, which indicates an issue with the inner ear, conductive hearing loss can result from something as simple as earwax to more pressing issues, such as damage to the eardrum or bone abnormalities in the middle ear. See the diagram below for differences between conductive vs sensorineural hearing loss.

However, there is still good news. Depending on the cause, most cases of conductive hearing loss can be treated and, in some cases, completely resolved.

If you’re experiencing conductive hearing loss, the specific symptoms you encounter are highly dependent on the cause of your hearing loss. When it comes to conductive hearing loss, common signs and symptoms include:

• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
• Muffled hearing or sounds like people are mumbling
• A gradual or sudden loss of hearing
• Fluctuating sound levels
• Drainage from the ear
• Ear pain or discomfort
• Problems hearing quiet and low pitched sounds, such as rustling leaves, distant traffic, the hum of electronic devices or the subtle sounds of nature.

If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, contact your doctor or Hearing Care Professional immediately, as successful treatment of sudden hearing loss can often be time sensitive.

While some causes of conductive hearing loss such as bone growth or structural issues may not be preventable, there are ways to take care of your hearing and prevent damage.

• Avoid sticking any foreign objects in your ears, such as cotton swabs.
• Treat ear infections early and see a doctor if you have ear pain, discharge, or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
• Manage allergies or colds as these can cause fluid buildup or block the eustachian tube, affecting middle ear function.
• Follow up after ear surgery or injury to ensure proper healing and prevent long-term damage.
• Protect against loud noises and use ear plugs or earmuffs to also protect your eardrums from physical damage caused by sudden loud noises.
• Keep your ears clean and dry after showering and swimming to prevent ear infections.

If you believe earwax build-up may be causing hearing issues, contact a doctor or Hearing Care Professional.

Schedule regular screenings to detect early signs of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss and take action for healthy hearing.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, contact a Hearing Care Professional. A hearing screening and evaluation will be done to determine your type of hearing loss, extent of hearing loss and what may be causing it.

If conductive hearing loss is determined, there are various types of treatment. Earwax build-up or a foreign object in the ear can be removed and hearing will generally be restored (if that is the only issue). Other causes of conductive hearing loss may require surgery or, if hearing can’t be restored, hearing aids designed for conductive hearing loss can be a great way to get back your hearing health. Choosing hearing aids for your lifestyle is easy with HearUSA.