Different Types Of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss

This occurs when the external and middle ear can no longer conduct sound into the inner ear. One of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss is blockage in the external ear canal, typically caused by earwax buildup or infection. Most cases are temporary and can be corrected with proper medical treatment.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Often successfully treated with hearing aids, this type of hearing loss may result from:

damage to the sensory cells or nerve fibers of the inner ear
exposure to diseases like mumps, meningitis, multiple sclerosis or Ménière's disease
use of certain drugs like aspirin, cisplatin, quinine or the antibiotics streptomycin and gentamicin
your mother contracting rubella (German measles) during pregnancy
low birth weight
genetics
head or ear injuries