Three types of hearing loss

Hearing loss is categorised into three types:

  1. Sensorineural

  2. Conductive

  3. Mixed

Venn diagram of hearing loss: Sensorineural, Conductive, Mixed categories.
An elderly man wearing large red and black headphones and holding a remote control, sitting and smiling at a young woman with brown hair in a teal shirt with a hearing clinic logo, in a medical office with an anatomy poster in the background.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the delicate sensory cells or nerve fibres in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is is most common type of hearing loss, and in most cases it is permanent.

  • People with sensorineural hearing loss, often report that people mumble or that they can hear speech but it lacks clarity. People with sensorineural hearing loss in both ears can have difficulty understanding speech in various situations, especially in background noise. For people with sensorineural hearing loss in one ear, locating sounds and hearing well in background noise can be very difficult.  

    Sensorineural hearing loss can present through a number of different symptoms.

  • The most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss is the natural process of ageing and / or prolonged exposure to excessive noise (employment or recreational) without hearing protection. Other causes may include:

    • Trauma – physical injury or acoustic trauma (exposure to loud sounds)

    • Illnesses – Meningitis, stroke, diabetes

    • Viral infections such as measles or mumps, high fever

    • Drugs that are toxic to hearing (ototoxic medications)

    • Acoustic neuroma – tumor on the auditory nerve

    • Genetics

    • Malformation of the inner ear

  • Sensorineural hearing loss is generally permanent, however in many cases, the condition can be effectively managed with hearing aids, other rehabilitation devices and/or auditory training.

    If you suspect a hearing loss for yourself or a loved one, please contact Mackay Hearing to book a comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessment. A hearing assessment will determine if you have hearing loss, the extent and type of hearing loss (sensorineural, conductive or mixed) and treatment options.

    If you would like further information or wish to make an appointment, please contact our friendly local staff directly on (07) 4952 4649, email us at listening@mackayhearing.com.au, or leave us a message on our website.

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Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems in the outer and middle ear, which affects the transmission of sound to the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss can be temporary / treatable or permanent.

  • People with conductive hearing loss often report that the overall volume of sound is reduced and that speech and sound in general is faint. Parts of conversations may be missed, requests for repetition are frequent and lip reading and other non-verbal communication cues (facial expression, hand gestures, body language) are relied upon.

    Conductive hearing loss can present through a number of different symptoms.

  • Physical issues with the ears are some common causes of this condition, including:

    • ear infections in the ear canal or middle ear

    • fluid in the middle ear

    • scarring on the eardrum due to repeated perforations

    • calcium plaques on the ear drum

    • excessive wax creating a blockage in the ear canal

    • tumours or growths in the ear canal or middle ear

    • fixated / calcified or dislodged ossicles (middle ear bones)

  • Conductive hearing loss can be temporary / treatable or permanent. For temporary / treatable conditions, clients are encouraged to seek medical advice. When conductive hearing loss is permanent, or a residual hearing loss remains after medical treatment, the hearing loss can be effectively managed with hearing aids and other rehabilitation devices / strategies.

    If you suspect a hearing loss for yourself or a loved one, please contact Mackay Hearing to book a comprehensive diagnostic hearing assessment. A hearing assessment will determine if you have hearing loss, the extent and type of hearing loss (sensorineural, conductive or mixed) and treatment options.

    If you would like further information or wish to make an appointment, please contact our friendly local staff directly on (07) 4952 4649, email us at listening@mackayhearing.com.au, or leave us a message on our website.

A woman smiling at a man wearing red headphones, in an indoor setting.

Mixed hearing loss

Some people have both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. With mixed hearing loss the sensorineural component of the hearing loss is permanent, while the conductive component may be permanent or temporary.

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Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a perceived internal noise that only you can hear; commonly heard as a ringing, buzzing, static or ‘insect-like’ (especially cicadas) noise. Tinnitus can be experienced intermittently or constantly, mildly or severely and can be present with or without hearing loss.

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Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) involves a breakdown in understanding sound. Rather than a loss of hearing, APD is when our brain isn’t able to make sense of what our ears hear.

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