How is conductive hearing loss different from other types of hearing loss?

Rebecca Grome

Au.D.

Ears4U Hearing Services

There are three main types of hearing loss — sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. Sensorineural hearing loss involves damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve and is the most common type in adults. Conductive hearing loss, by contrast, happens when something is blocking or interfering with how sound moves through the outer or middle ear. This could be earwax, fluid, an ear infection, or a structural issue. One key difference is that conductive hearing loss is often treatable, depending on the cause, whereas sensorineural hearing loss is typically managed rather than reversed.