Conductive hearing loss is a problem that affects both children and adults. Some cases are simple and easy to treat, while others stem from differences in ear anatomy or more complex conditions.
When you know the cause of conductive hearing loss, you’ll better understand your treatment options. Learn more about why conductive hearing loss happens and how it’s diagnosed.
Common Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves can’t get to the inner ear structures that allow you to hear. This type of hearing loss can affect one or both ears.
Physical Blockages
Hearing loss is often caused by physical blockages in the middle ear, like earwax, fluid, or abnormal growths. Blocked ear hearing problems are relatively common, especially in children.
Ear Infections and Upper Respiratory Illnesses
Ear infections are another common culprit. They cause middle ear problems like inflammation and eustachian tube blockages, which prevent sound from effectively reaching the cochlea. Frequent ear infections can lead to a perforated eardrum, which impairs hearing.
The common cold and other upper respiratory illnesses can also cause hearing loss from fluid buildup.
Structural and Genetic Ear Problems
Genetic abnormalities can affect your ear anatomy and cause problems with sound conduction. Ear structures may also become damaged from physical trauma or severe, repeated ear infections.
Middle ear problems like polyps and cholesteatomas interfere with the sound waves traveling to your inner ear. While these growths are often noncancerous, they can still cause partial hearing loss.
Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss
Usually, conductive hearing loss comes with other symptoms. It makes sense: If something is blocking your inner ear, it’s bound to cause pain and pressure.
Common conductive hearing loss symptoms include:
- Pressure or fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Ear popping sensations
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Fluid sensations in the ear
- Dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems
- Ear drainage
Most of the time, these symptoms are temporary and resolve after the underlying issue is treated.
If your child is experiencing conductive hearing loss, you may notice delayed or absent responses to certain sounds. In very young children, speech quality can also change.
Is Conductive Hearing Loss Temporary or Permanent?
Temporary hearing loss is more common. This is because most of the root causes are short-term. For example, if a growth in your ear is causing conductive hearing loss, removal of the growth should reverse your symptoms.
However, untreated ear problems can cause permanent damage over time and result in irreversible partial or total hearing loss.
If your child is experiencing symptoms, try not to worry too much. Most cases of childhood conductive hearing loss are reversible.
Ear Infection Hearing Loss in Children Is Usually Temporary
If you suspect your child has an ear infection that’s causing hearing loss, seek treatment from a doctor right away. Consider getting a referral to a specialist if your child has frequent ear infections; repeated infections increase the risk of permanent hearing damage in children.
When to See a Hearing Specialist
Whether it’s you, a family member or friend who’s struggling with conductive hearing loss, specialists can help.
Professional audiologists perform thorough hearing evaluations to get to the root cause of a hearing problem. They can then recommend treatments and work closely with other members of a care team to provide the best solutions.
You should see a hearing specialist if your or your child’s symptoms are interfering with daily life, getting worse, or lasting longer than a few weeks.
Conductive Hearing Loss FAQs
Get your questions about conductive hearing loss answered.
What Causes Conductive Hearing Loss?
Conductive hearing loss is caused by blockages or abnormal structures that prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear. This type of hearing loss is often temporary and resolves when the blockage goes away.
Is Conductive Hearing Loss Reversible?
Yes, in many cases conductive hearing loss can be reversed completely. Long-term damage from chronic ear infections or physical trauma to the ear may not be reversible. Consult a physician or hearing care professional for further guidance.
How Is Conductive Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
Hearing specialists perform comprehensive hearing tests that gauge your sensitivity to certain sounds. These might include a bone conduction test and the tuning fork test.
Can Children Outgrow Conductive Hearing Loss?
Yes, if a child’s conductive hearing loss is caused by temporary factors like earwax or fluid buildup, they’re likely to outgrow it. More complex ear problems are different and may linger for many years or permanently.
Do Hearing Aids Help Conductive Hearing Loss?
Yes, hearing aids may be an effective solution for conductive hearing loss. These devices act on the small bones in your ear that are responsible for your ability to hear. This bypasses the blocked outer and middle ear to generate normal sounds.
How Happy Ears Hearing Center Can Help
At Happy Ears Hearing Center, our audiology team is here to help. We provide comprehensive hearing testing and ongoing monitoring to improve your quality of life. Our emphasis is on accurate diagnosis and compassionate, continuous hearing care.
Worried about conductive hearing loss? Book a hearing evaluation with us today!