Conductive Hearing Loss –

Symptoms Causes and Treatment

A Conductive Hearing loss is the second most common Hearing
Loss. Majority of the people suffer from Sensorineural Hearing
Loss. Conductive Hearing Loss affects people of all age groups. It
is medically treated in the majority of the cases. The cure or
treatment depends on our ability to recognise the symptoms and
seek immediate medical help.

What are the Different Type of Hearing Loss?

There are 3 main types of Hearing Loss.

1. Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

2. Conductive Hearing Loss
3. Mixed Hearing Loss
What is Conductive Hearing Loss?
The Ear structure consists of 3 parts. The Outer, Middle and the
Inner Ear.

Ear Structure

Conductive Hearing Loss occurs if the Outer or the Middle Ear do

not conduct Sound waves to the Inner Ear. The problem can be in
the Outer Ear and/or in the Middle Ear.

What are the Symptoms of Conductive

Hearing Loss?
One should be aware of the symptoms or signs of Conductive
Hearing Loss.
  Earache or Pain in the Ear
The pain in one ear or both is a sign that all is not well with our
ears. The pain could be due to infection, ear wa x accumulation or
an injury.

 Blocked Ears or Pressure

We get the feeling of ear blockage or pressure in the ears. This is
somewhat like the pressure some people feel while landing or
taking off in an Airplane.

 Loss of Hearing
We struggle to hear on the phone or miss out on the conversation
while in a group. This indicates reduced Hearing ability.

 Bad Odour from the Ears

In case there is an infection or build -up of Pus, the Ear will give
out a bad odour or smell.

 Unfamiliar Sound
We feel that our own speech sounds very different. This can
happen in case of others Speech as well.

It is be noted that the above Symptoms of Conductive Hearing

Loss could be in one Ear or Both.

What are the Causes of Conductive Hearing

Loss?
The common causes of Conductive Hearing Loss as under:

1. Ear wax Accumulation

Not cleaning our Ears regularly causes Earwax to collect in the
Ear Canal. This causes a physical blockage. The Earwax does not
allow Speech and sound signals to reach the Eardrum or the
Tympanic Membrane.

2. Obstruction by a Foreign Body

Small items like beads, in the case of Children or cotton swabs
stuck in the ear, can cause Conductive Hearing Loss.

3. Infection Due to Water

Otitis Externa. Is the medical term also commonly called
Swimmers Ear. Constant dampness or wet ears cause infection.
We should also dry our Ears after a shower.
4. Malformation of Outer Ear
This normally happens at birth. It is either malformation of the
Pinna or the Ear Canal which is part of the External Ear.

5. Abnormal Bone Growth

Abnormal growth of the bones along the Ear Canal reduce the
size of the Ear Canal. Sound can still travel through the outer ear.
But the chances of the Ear getting blocked with a small amount of
ear wax are high.

6. Middle Ear Infection

Infection in the Middle Ear causes a build -up of fluids. Seek
immediate medical attention before the infection becomes
serious. This is very common in case of Children. Read the tips to
detect Ear Infection in Children .
7. Perforation in the Eardrum
The Tympanic Membrane or Ear Drum vibrates as per the Sound
waves received by the Ear. A perforated Ear drum will not vibrate.
Hence the Sound waves will not pass on to the Inner Ear. The
Inner Ear sends the sound waves to our Brain through the
Auditory Nerve.

8. Otosclerosis or Hardening of the Bone

Otosclerosis is the hardening of one of the 3 bones in the Middle
Ear. These bones amplify and transfer the sound vibrations to the
Inner Ear. Hardening of this bone stops the vibrations. This
interrupts the process of transferring sound to the Inner Ea r.
9. Accident or Injury
Speech signals do not reach the Inner Ear if there is a physical
damage to the outer or Inner Ear.

Can Conductive Hearing Loss be Treated?

In a majority of the cases, Conductive Hearing Loss is reversible
or can be corrected. People suspecting hearing loss should
undergo a hearing test or Audiometry.

 Ear wax is nature’s process of restricting dirt from going into

our Ears. Ear wax also keeps the Ear Canal lubricated. Some
people produce more Ear wax than others. Ear wax should be
regularly cleaned to avoid blockage. Use proper methods to
clean Ears and avoid using Ear tips or cotton Earbuds.
 In case Children insert a foreign object in the ears, rush
them to the Doctor immediately. The Hearing is normal after
removal of the object.
 Keep your ears dry. Do not let water remain in your ears
after a swim or a shower. Take special precautions to
avoid fungal Infection .
Surgery can correct the malformation of the External Ear to some
extent. Reconstruction surgery to correct abnormalities like
collapsed Ear Canal and perforated Ear drum is possible. But the
operation depends on the complexity and severity which may
differ from case to case.
2 Stage Ear Reconstruction Surgery

 Surgery in case of physical injury due to accidents is more

delicate and serious in nature. It solely depends on the
extent of the damage or injury.
 Infections of the Outer Ear are generally treated with anti -
fungal or anti -bacterial eardrops. Inner Ear infections need
Antibiotic medicines. This treatment is generally done at
home under the guidance of the Doctor. Delay in seeking
medical help will spread the infection and may need
hospitalisation.
 In some cases, people suffering from Conductive Hearing
Loss are not advised surgery or do not prefer surgery. These
people can use Hearing Aids.
 Hearing Aids are suitable for people suffering from
Conductive Hearing Loss. The prescription of Digital Hearing
Aids is as per the Hearing loss of the patient.
2 types of Bone Conduction Hearing Devices are available. One
type connects to a Body worn Hearing Aid. The second type is an
Implant and requires a minor surgery.
Bone Conduction Implant

The Bone Conduction Implant picks up the external sound and

processes them. The Implant converts the sound signals to
vibrations. These vibrations reach the Inner Ear through the
bones.

Conductive Hearing Loss is treatable and reversible. One should

be aware of the Symptoms and seek timely medical help.