Tyes Of Hearing Loss

1. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Cause: Damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve.

• Common Causes: Aging, exposure to loud noise, genetic factors, certain diseases (e.g., meningitis, Ménière's disease), ototoxic drugs, or head trauma.

• Characteristics: This is the most common type of hearing loss and typically cannot be corrected medically or surgically. Hearing aids or cochlear implants are often used for treatment.

2. Conductive Hearing Loss

• Cause: Problems in the outer or middle ear that block sound transmission to the inner ear.

• Common Causes: Ear infections, fluid buildup, earwax blockage, perforated eardrum, or abnormalities in the ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear).

• Characteristics: Often treatable with medication or surgery, depending on the cause.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

• Cause: A combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

• Characteristics: It involves issues in both the inner ear and outer/middle ear. Treatment often includes a combination of medical intervention and hearing aids

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4. Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD)

• Cause: Sound enters the ear normally but is not properly transmitted to the brain due to damage in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

• Characteristics: Patients may hear sounds but struggle to understand speech. Treatment may include hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other auditory rehabilitation methods.