Identifying Types of Hearing Loss

Itʼs one thing to realize youʼre experiencing hearing loss. Itʼs another thing entirely to identify the type of hearing loss and determine the cause. The following information can help simplify this process and help you on your way to better hearing.


There are four types of hearing loss:

• Sensorineural: the most common type of hearing loss
• Conductive: results of breakdown in the mechanical transmission of sound
• Mixed: a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss
• Central: a rare type of hearing loss related to problems with the central auditory system

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It occurs when the tiny hair cells of the inner ear are damaged. Even though sound gets in to the inner ear normally , the damaged hair cells are unable to "trigger" and send signals to the brain. In most cases those that do "trigger" are damaged and as a result send a distorted message to the brain.

Common causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:

• Age
• Prolonged exposure to excessive noise
• Hereditary predisposition
• Disease
• Chemotherapy
• Ototoxic medication (certain anti-biotics)
• Prenatal, perinatal or congenital factors

No medical procedure can "reverse" sensorineural hearing loss. However, the loss can be helped with amplification including hearing aids and everyday listening products, enabling the remaining hair cells to respond with maximum efficiency. Learn more about treatment options for hearing loss.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a breakdown in the mechanical transmission of sound. This happens when there is a malfunction of the outer and/or middle ear.

Causes can be as simple as impacted earwax or as serious as a middle ear infection, a punctured eardrum or dislocation of the middle ear bones.

Many conductive hearing problems can be medically or surgically treated and may not require hearing aids. Conductive losses that canʼt be treated medically are often treated very successfully with hearing aids. Learn more about treatment options for hearing loss.

Mixed Hearing Loss

It is possible for multiple factors to impact your hearing. Mixed hearing loss occurs when both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss are present. The treatment of mixed hearing loss depends on the specific factors responsible for it. Learn more about hearing loss treatment options.

Central Hearing Loss

This is a very rare form of hearing loss. It occurs as a result of a problem in the central auditory system in the brain. Although the outer, middle and inner ear parts deliver sound normally , they are not processed properly by the brain. Hearing aids do not help with this rare type of hearing loss. Learn how you can be accurately diagnosed for Hearing Loss.

The location of the problem in the hearing process can help determine the type of hearing loss youʼre experiencing. Identifying the type of hearing loss helps to determine treatment options. Understanding the options and possibilities puts you in an excellent position to work with your Connect Hearing professional to determine the best option for you at a hearing clinic nearby.