Type of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is divided primarily into two general categories:
Conductive hearing loss results from diseases or disorders that limit
the transmission of sound through the outer or middle ear. This hearing
loss can usually be treated medically or surgically. In some cases, a
hearing aid can provide sufficient hearing improvement.
Hearing loss for most adults is sensorineural. Sensorineural loss
affects the inner ear or neural pathways. In this case, sound is
transmitted normally through the outer and middle ears, but the inner
ear is less efficient in transmitting the sound, usually due to a
reduction of, or damage to the fine nerve endings inside the cochlea.
This leads to reduced perception of sound intensity and quality. The
result is an impaired ability to hear sound and to understand speech.
Sensorineural hearing loss is usually treated with a hearing aid which
amplifies sound to overcome the decrease in sensitivity of the fine
nerve endings within the cochlea.
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