A person who suffers from conductive hearing loss has difficulty hearing due to a problem with their ear’s ability to conduct sound waves. A congenital absence or malformation can cause this type of hearing loss or it may be a result of an obstruction in the ear canal. In many cases conductive hearing loss is treatable, completely restoring normal hearing ability.
Many hereditary problems may cause conductive hearing loss. For instance, a person may be born with an unopened ear canal, or their ear canal might not have developed at all. Malformation of inner ear components can hinder optimal hearing. A number of these congenital problems can be addressed via surgery. Hearing aids can improve others. Congenital issues are one of the less frequent causes of conductive hearing loss.
Among the more typical causes of conductive hearing loss is wax or fluid accumulation in the outer ear. Wax buildup and infections of the ear can decrease a person’s ability to hear clearly. Washing the ear may be enough to remove wax buildup, while antibiotics may be necessary to deal with an infection.
Conductive hearing loss may also be caused by buildup in the middle ear. Fluid accumulation is the most common origin of this issue. Kids are especially susceptible to ear infections, which are a widespread reason for this problem. Hearing can be affected by pressure on the inner ear caused by the common cold and allergies. Tumors in the middle ear can also cause conductive hearing loss, however this condition is uncommon.
Other issues may cause conductive hearing loss, including foreign bodies in the ear canal and perforated eardrums. Conductive hearing loss mostly happens on its own, however it can co-present with other types of hearing loss. If you or a loved one are experiencing unexplained hearing loss, talk to a hearing care specialist right away. Ability to hear can often be fully restored with the appropriate treatment plan.