Types of Hearing Loss

The type of hearing loss that your child has refers to the part of the ear that is affected. Here is a diagram of the ear with its various parts: 

Parts of the ear:

• The outer ear includes the pinna (fleshy outside part of the ear), and the ear canal. These structures collect sound and direct it towards the eardrum.

• The middle ear includes the eardrum, a space filled with air, and three small bones. These structures are responsible for conducting the sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. The Eustachian tube (normally closed) opens to equalize the air pressure in the middle ear.

• The inner ear includes the cochlea and the balance organ. The cochlea contains tens of thousands of tiny hair cells that are each tuned to different pitches. These hair cells respond to incoming sound, and pass on information to the hearing nerve.

The types of hearing loss include:

• Conductive hearing loss: Conductive loss results from a problem in the outer or middle ear, affecting the way the sound travels through the ear. A common cause of conductive hearing loss in children is fluid in the middle ear. Middle ear fluid can sometimes get better by itself. If middle ear fluid persists, becomes infected, or causes a hearing loss, your child might need medical treatment (i.e., antibiotics or tubes).

• Sensorineural hearing loss: Sensorineural hearing loss results from a problem in the cochlea. Your child may have been born with this type of hearing loss. It can also be the result of damage, disease, injury, or certain medications. Sensorineural hearing loss is almost always permanent and cannot be improved with medicine or surgery. Usually, hearing aids or other listening devices are the best treatment for sensorineural hearing loss.

• Mixed hearing loss: Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

It is important to know what kind of hearing loss your child because:

1. It will help you to understand your child's hearing loss
2. It will help to determine the best treatment plan for your child.