Conductive Hearing Loss: Signs, Causes, and Treatments

Conductive Hearing Loss: Signs, Causes, and Treatments

by Dr. Kevin Ivory

What is Conductive Hearing Loss?

Conductive hearing loss is also known as CHL, is a condition that occurs within a person's ear when there is a blockage in their ear canal or the middle ear. This causes sounds to be much lower than normal, causing difficulty in hearing and clarity. This basically means that sound is prevented from traveling or reaching the eardrum as well as the other important bones in the inner ear. This can affect a person's ability to hear for a short period of time or chronically. The blockages may also be caused by actual ear wax or secretions. There are many ways to get to the bottom of hearing issues, finding the source is very important because untreated hearing loss can be critical.

What are the signs?

There are a few symptoms associated with the loss of conductive hearing. Each of these symptoms can vary and this depends on the severity of the situation as well as the cause of the loss. To name a few, this can be associated with dizziness, muffled sounds, draining and ear fluids as well as tenderness in the ears.

What are the causes?

The causes of this condition are fairly similar to the signs and symptoms. Simple ear infections or wax buildup can greatly affect a person's ability to hear. This condition occurs when sounds are struggling to reach the inner ear from the outer ear. These causes usually impact the ability to perceive sounds and tones. Here are a few factors that can actually lead to the loss of hearing. Ear infections that are reoccurring, overall chronic infections or a small growth or lump in the middle ear are all sure signs. Any abnormalities in the ear bones or even excessive accumulation of ear wax can also have underlying meanings.

What are some common symptoms?

Along with the lower volume sounds, a person may also sense or experience a difference in their own speech or ability to hear themselves. One ear may surely be clearer than the other which can cause additional pressure between the ears. If there is drainage in the ears there is a possibility that there may be an odor associated with it as well. Because there are multiple areas of the ear that can be affected, it is slightly difficult to narrow down every single cause and symptom without the proper evaluation.

Treating Hearing Loss

There are a few forms and methods to clear our ear infections to return back to normal conditions. A licensed audiologist or medical practitioner should be able to correctly diagnose the root cause of CHL and suggest appropriate methods of management and treatment. There are certain specialists that specifically care for the areas concerning the ear, nose, and throat. Seeing a specialist will get you all the answers you have been wondering about so that you are able to get an accurate diagnosis as well as treatment plans to follow. The most critical part of the evaluation is the hearing test which is also called an audiogram. This is performed to determine the level of severity of damage to your hearing overall. The test is so extensive that it will provide in-depth results and it also determines if the hearing loss is either conductive, sensorineural or both. After the results are reviewed and compared from all tests, a CT or MRI will be performed. These tests will provide clear images for your ears.Treatment is very important because untreated hearing loss can be very harmful to a person's overall health. To have complete overall health, hearing health is also a very important factor. There are many methods of treatment but they are all beneficial and they all share one end goal, ultimate hearing health.

Glendora Hearing Center

Finding the proper care provider will also save you a lot of time and effort. That’s why you should schedule a consultation with us at Glendora Hearing Center. We offer you the proper tools and care plan to ensure that treating hearing loss is beneficial to you and your overall health.If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing and struggle with communication, contact us today. We provide comprehensive hearing health services and we’re here to help!

Written by
Reviewed by
Dr. Kevin H. Ivory
Audiologist & University Instructor
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Dr. Kevin Ivory, Au.D., CCC-A received his Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Audiology degree from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, one of the top 10 audiology residential programs in the country.

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