Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound waves are unable to reach the inner ear due to a blockage or damage in the outer or middle ear. Unlike Conductive Hearing Loss, which involves nerve damage, conductive hearing loss affects the mechanical aspects of hearing.
Causes
- Ear Infections : Middle ear infections (otitis media) can cause fluid build-up, preventing sound from passing through efficiently.
- Earwax Buildup : Excessive earwax (cerumen) can block the ear canal.
- Eardrum Perforation : A hole or rupture in the eardrum (tympanic membrane) can hinder sound transmission.
- Otosclerosis : Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear can prevent the bones (ossicles) from moving correctly.
- Eustachian Tube Dysfunction : Problems with the tube connecting the middle ear to the throat can lead to fluid retention and pressure issues.
- Foreign Objects : Objects lodged in the ear canal can obstruct sound waves.
- Congenital Conditions : Some people are born with structural abnormalities in the ear that cause conductive hearing loss.
Symptoms
- Muffled or diminished hearing
- Difficulty understanding speech, particularly in noisy environments
- Sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Ear pain or discomfort (in cases of infection or blockage)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Diagnosis
- Audiometry : A hearing test to assess the degree of hearing loss.
- Tympanometry : Measures eardrum movement to detect fluid in the middle ear.
- Otoscopy : Visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum.
- Imaging : CT or MRI scans may be used to identify structural problems.
