Understanding the Three Types of Hearing Loss and Treatment Options

TLDRNearly 50 million people in the United States have some form of hearing loss, and by 2060, that number is expected to climb to nearly 75 million. Hearing loss can be categorized into three types: sensory neural, conductive, and mixed. Sensory neural hearing loss is the most common type and is often caused by loud noise exposure, aging, and genetics. Conductive hearing loss occurs when the vibration of sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensory neural and conductive hearing loss. Treatment options include hearing aids and in some cases, cochlear implants.

Key insights

💡Nearly 50 million people in the United States have some form of hearing loss.

👂Hearing loss can be categorized into three types: sensory neural, conductive, and mixed.

🔊Sensory neural hearing loss is the most common type and is often caused by loud noise exposure, aging, and genetics.

👂✋Conductive hearing loss occurs when the vibration of sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear.

🔊👂✋Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensory neural and conductive hearing loss.

Q&A

What are the main causes of sensory neural hearing loss?

—The main causes of sensory neural hearing loss are loud noise exposure, aging, and genetics.

How is conductive hearing loss diagnosed?

—Conductive hearing loss can be diagnosed through a hearing evaluation with responses plotted on an audiogram.

Can hearing loss be prevented?

—Noise-induced hearing loss, the most common type of hearing loss, can be prevented by avoiding exposure to loud sounds and using proper hearing protection.

What are the treatment options for hearing loss?

—Treatment options for hearing loss include hearing aids, cochlear implants, and in some cases, medication or surgery.

Is hearing loss reversible?

—While some types of hearing loss can be partially or fully treated, complete reversal of hearing loss is not always possible.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Nearly 50 million people in the United States have some form of hearing loss.

02:10Hearing loss can be categorized into three types: sensory neural, conductive, and mixed.

03:50Sensory neural hearing loss is the most common type and is often caused by loud noise exposure, aging, and genetics.

06:22Conductive hearing loss occurs when the vibration of sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear.

08:34Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensory neural and conductive hearing loss.

10:27The main causes of sensory neural hearing loss are loud noise exposure, aging, and genetics.

11:55Conductive hearing loss can be diagnosed through a hearing evaluation with responses plotted on an audiogram.

13:42Noise-induced hearing loss, the most common type of hearing loss, can be prevented by avoiding exposure to loud sounds and using proper hearing protection.

Browse more