Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing loss that occurs when the transmission of sound from the external ear, through the middle ear to the inner ear is blocked or reduced. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including blockage in the ear canal, damage to the ear drum, or problems with the bones in the middle ear.

Causes

The most common cause of conductive hearing loss is otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. Other causes can include:

• Earwax blockage
• Otosclerosis, a condition where the bones in the middle ear become stiff
• Damage to the eardrum
• Cholesteatoma, a skin growth that occurs in the middle ear
• Otitis externa, an infection of the outer ear canal

Symptoms

The main symptom of conductive hearing loss is a reduction in hearing sensitivity. This can be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Pain in the ear
• Discharge from the ear
• Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing noise in the ear
• Vertigo, a sensation of spinning

Diagnosis

Conductive hearing loss is diagnosed through a series of tests, including:

• Audiometry, a test that measures a person's ability to hear sounds
• Tympanometry, a test that measures the movement of the eardrum
• Otoscopy, a visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum

Treatment

Treatment for conductive hearing loss depends on the cause. It can include:

• Medication to treat infections
• Surgery to repair damage to the ear
• Hearing aids to amplify sound

See also

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Mixed hearing loss
• Hearing loss due to age
• Noise-induced hearing loss