Types of hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss – sound is prevented from traveling to the inner ear. The most common causes of conductive hearing loss are fluid or infection in the middle ear and obstruction in the ear canal by wax or a foreign object. Abnormalities of the ear canal or middle ear space may also cause this type of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss can often be treated medically. Hearing aids may be recommended for persistent conductive hearing loss.

Sensorineural hearing loss - sound cannot travel up the hearing nerve due to damage to the structures of the inner ear. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent. Depending on the degree of hearing loss, children may receive benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants or FM systems.

Auditory neuropathy/dis-synchrony – a type of sensorineural hearing loss in which there is a breakdown of signal transmission from the inner ear to the brain. Children with auditory neuropathy often have difficulty understanding speech, but may exhibit any range of hearing ability including normal. The benefits of FM systems, hearing aids and/or cochlear implants should be explored.