What is the Difference Between Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Conductive Hearing Loss?
Do you need help understanding what others saying? There is a high possibility of your suffering from Sensorineural hearing dysfunction, a common type of hearing loss. In rare cases, it could also be a conductive auditory loss. These disorders can affect your ability to hear sounds and can occur due to different factors in the human body. In both cases, the problem is likely to persist.
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve, leading to a disability in hearing sounds. In comparison, conductive hearing loss is a condition where sound transmission from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear is impaired or results in failure.
Both are hearing disabilities that block a person from adequately hearing sounds. However, noticeable differences in these two Auditory losses make them distinct. Therefore, this page will discuss the difference Between Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Conductive Hearing Loss. So keep reading the article to ensure not to miss a single sentence included here.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Conductive Hearing Loss
Although most people do not know about them, sensorineural and conductive hearing loss are two types of hearing loss people face worldwide. While Sensorineural Hearing dysfunction is more common (Almost 90% in each hearing loss case) globally, Conductive Hearing Loss is less observed and reported. Ultimately, both types of hearing dysfunction block sound from adequately reaching the brain, making you deaf. In such cases, using specialised headphones for hearing aids can be a significant aid, helping to amplify sound and improve clarity for those experiencing hearing loss.
Here is a comparison of both Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Conductive Hearing Loss:
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss, aka SNHL, is one of the most common hearing loss (almost 90% in every case). This type of dysfunction in the human body occurs when there is damage to the cochlea (hearing organ) or the structures inside it. Besides, you can even have problems with your auditory nerve that goes from the cochlea and connects with the brain.
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss include:
Some common causes would be head trauma, toxic chemical exposure, a tumor on your auditory nerve, genetic factors of your body, noise exposure, or, in most cases, it would be due to old age.
What To Do?
A typical hearing test can quickly identify the type of hearing dysfunction in your ear. It will be best for you to consult a doctor immediately.
Conductive Hearing Loss
A conductive hearing disorder happens when a person’s ability to conduct sound from the outer and middle ear to the inner ear is lowered or lost. It is a rare hearing disability in which a person’s ability to hear and communicate effectively reduces. Overall, the percentage of getting caught by this dysfunction is less than 10%.
Causes of conductive hearing loss:
While multiple factors can initiate conductive hearing failure, one of the leading causalities of conductive hearing dysfunction is when there is a jam in the ear canal, often caused by something like earwax. Other causes of conductive hearing failure can be ear canal illnesses, a damaged eardrum, tiny ears, cysts, tumors, or even foreign objects in the ear canal.
However, the dysfunction can also be caused by diseases, damage, and physical changes in the middle ear.
What To Do?
Luckily, many cases of conductive hearing loss are confirmed to be temporary, and most have been successfully cured with proper treatment. However, if you have a conductive hearing loss issue, contact your family doctor or the best one available nearby.
Differentiating Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Conductive Hearing Loss:
| Difference | Sensorineural Hearing Loss | Conductive Hearing Loss |
| Causes: | Typically caused by damage or dysfunction in the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve pathways leading to the brain. | Predominantly caused by blockages or abnormalities in the outer ear or middle ear that prevent sound from reaching the inner ear. |
| Site of the problem: | Occurs in the inner ear or along the auditory nerve pathways. | Occurs in the outer or middle ear. |
| Permanence: | Sensorineural hearing loss is typically permanent and irreversible. | Conductive hearing loss, in many cases, is temporary and can often be treated or resolved with appropriate treatment. However, it can also become a permanent issue depending on your condition. |
| Treatment Options for Hearing Loss: | Treatment focuses on improving the condition and communication abilities instead of restoring full hearing with hearing aids, cochlear implants, assistive listening devices, and auditory rehabilitation programs. | Depending on the cause, it can often be treated and fully healed through medical interventions such as medication, removal of blockages, or successful surgical procedures. |
| Common/ Rare | A most common type of hearing dysfunction. It is detected in almost 90% of all hearing-loss cases. | Rare, almost 10% out of all hearing-loss cases. |
Conclusion
Ultimately, sensorineural and conductive hearing loss is a dysfunction that reduces a person’s ability to hear sound. According to a report revealed by WHO, more than 470 million people globally have hearing problems, including sensorineural and conductive, and mixed hearing loss.
Both dysfunctions have differences that set them apart and are critical for a person. Whenever you come close to any problems, you must consult a doctor and go through a regular check to detect the type of hearing dysfunction you have.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What causes sensorineural hearing loss?
Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by aging, noise exposure, genetics, ototoxic medications, or certain medical conditions.
What causes conductive hearing loss?
Conductive hearing loss is a relatively rare dysfunction that occurs when there is a reduction in the ability to conduct sound from the external and middle ear into the inner ear.
Is sensorineural hearing loss more common than conductive hearing loss?
Yes, sensorineural hearing loss is a common type of hearing dysfunction, with almost 90% of all cases of hearing loss. Meanwhile, conductive hearing loss represents a smaller percentage (less than 10%).
Can someone have both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss?
Yes, a person can have sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, known as mixed hearing loss. This occurs when there are issues in the outer/middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve pathways.
