Conductive vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss: What Are The Differences?
Introduction
Hearing loss is a significant hindrance that has a profound impact on communication and quality of life. Hearing difficulty leads to social isolation and causes several challenges. In this blog article, Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss are discussed by analysing their causes, as well as symptoms. Understanding the proper way to cure hearing loss is essential to regain your listening experience.
An overview of Conductive vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the auditory nerve or the inner ear becomes damaged. On the other hand, Conductive hearing loss indicates an issue in the outer or middle ear. The main factor of Conductive vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss is that patients with conductive hearing loss perceive diminished hearing experience, while in SNHL, patients perceive distorted and diminished sound, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensoneural hearing loss (SNHL) is a kind of permanent hearing loss, and it is a common hearing difficulty. Any issue in the hair cells of the inner ear, hearing nerve, or in the auditory pathway may lead to sensorial hearing loss. This type of hearing loss can be caused by aging, injury, disease, genetic conditions, or loud sound exposure. SNHL can be cured completely using learning aids, or a cochlear implant can be beneficial to restore your hearing.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is a condition where sound waves can not reach the inner ear through the outer or middle ear due to the accumulation of dirt, debris, earwax, or other foreign objects in the ear canal. This type of hearing difficulty occurs in the outer or middle ear. Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, this hearing issue can be cured by removing the blockages.
Causes of Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
The factors may result in this kind of hearing loss, and the possible reasons behind this hearing issue are as follows:
Aging
Hearing capacity can be decreased with age, and it is a natural process. The function of the ear and the ear cells may be affected over time.
Ear tumor
An abnormal growth of a lump in the ear canal prevents the free movement of the ear hair and eardrum, and it also puts pressure on the ear, leading to hearing difficulty.
Loud sound exposure
Noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) is a result of long-term loud sound exposure.
Ototoxicity
Ototoxicity refers to the medication-induced hearing loss, and this type of sensorineural hearing loss is caused by consuming certain medicines for a long time.
Infection
Some kind of temporary as well as permanent hearing loss caused by several infections. Infections such as measles, mumps, and meningitis can attack the inner ear and affect listening ability.
Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss
The common causes of conductive hearing loss are discussed in the following points:
Stenosis
An abnormal narrowing of the inner canal may obstruct the blood flow or other bodily fluids.
Wax accumulation
The accumulation of dirt, debris, or mud prevents the sound wave from entering the inner ear.
Otitis media
Infection in the middle ear can be a major obstacle to our hearing.
Exostoses
In this condition, a bone-like lump develops in the ear canal and causes blockages.
Discontinuity of the Ossicular Chain
Damaging the connection of the bones of the middle ear due to an injury causes hearing issues.
Symptoms of Conductive vs. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Symptoms of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
People withnbsp; Sensorineural Hearing Loss may possess several symptoms:
Feeling difficulty in following a conversation in a noisy place
Experience Tinnitus or a buzzing sound in the ear
Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds
Trouble hearing consonant sounds like S, H, or F
Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss
Several symptoms indicate conductive hearing loss:
Pressure in one or both eras
Pain in both ears
Trouble following speech over the phone
Feeling dizzy or loss of balance
Diagnosis of Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Diagnosis for SNHL:
Electrophysiological test
Tomographic scans
Tuning fork test
Tympanometry
Diagnosis for conductive hearing loss:
Head computed Tomographic scans
Tympanometry
Pure tone audiometry
Treatment of Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Treatment for Sensorineural hearing loss is as follows:
As the damaged ear cells can not be cured, you need to use hearing aids as per your needs and the range of hearing loss.
After assessing your listening capacity and the type of hearing loss, your health care provider will suggest that you for a Cochlear implant or necessary medications.
Conductive hearing loss treatment is discussed here:
Antibiotics to cure an infection
Removing earwax
Drainage of fluid in the ears
Eardrum surgery
Recognising the signs and symptoms of hearing difficulty and the proper diagnosis is essential to get a quick cure, and for this, you can contact us at Aural Care, one of the renowned hearing solution-providing clinics in Kolkata. Our team of highly skilled professionals and audiologists assesses the range of your hearing loss through vestibular tests using advanced technologies. They recommend high-quality healing aids that suit your unique needs and preferences.
Contact us today to regain your pleasure of listening.
Conclusion
Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss are two different types of hearing issues. Damage to the ear nerves or in the ear canal leads to sensorineural hearing loss, and, on the contrary, conductive hearing issues occur when dirt and earwax prevent sound from entering the inner ear. Infection, aging, and tumors are the common causes of sensorineural hearing loss. On the other hand, Exostoses or Otitis can be a major hindrance that leads to Conductive Hearing Loss. The common symptoms and the treatments of both types of hearing loss are included here.
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