Conductive Hearing Loss

by Sharon Hopkins


Hearing loss is of two main types, conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. Here we will take a look at conductive hearing loss in detail.

Conductive hearing loss is essentially caused by anything that interferes with the transmission of sound from the outer to the inner ear. Some of the possible reasons that could create such interference are:

  1. Blockage of the outer ear by wax.
  2. Collection of fluid in the middle ear, also known as "glue ear" in children.
  3. Damage to the eardrum by infection or injury.
  4. Rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the joints between the ossicles in rare cases.
  5. Middle ear infections such as Otitis Media.
  6. Trauma to the ossicular chain such as temporal bone fracture
  7. Tumors of the middle ear such as a Glomus tumor
  8. Erosion of the ossicular chain - Cholesteatoma.
  9. Prolonged exposure to certain drugs
  10. Random injury.
  11. Difficulties in the eardrums, Eustachian tubes or various bones of the ear.

Treatment

Commonly, use of hearing aids can obtain excellent results for conductive hearing loss. Surgical treatment may be used to correct a lot of conductive hearing loss cases, as usually it is due to a mechanical hindrance. Osteosclerosis can be treated effectively using surgery. Conductive hearing loss due to ear infections such as Otitis Media can be treated well using oral antibiotics or ear drops. Fluid collected behind the eardrum can be drained by inserting pressure-equalizing tubes through the eardrum. Early diagnosis and timely treatment can help tackle conductive hearing loss effectively.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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