Conductive Hearing Loss: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments

Common Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss 

• Earwax buildup can block sound from reaching the eardrum.
• Fluid in the middle ear, especially after a cold or sinus infection, can muffle sounds.
• Ear infections can cause inflammation and fluid that block sound waves.
• Perforated eardrum due to injury or loud noise can cause sudden hearing loss.
• Eustachian tube dysfunction can lead to pressure changes and ear fullness.
• Foreign objects in the ear canal, especially in children, can block sound.
• Otosclerosis, a genetic condition, causes abnormal bone growth in the middle ear.

Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss

• Muffled or soft sounds, like people are speaking from far away.
• A sensation of fullness or pressure in one or both ears.
• Pain or discomfort in the ear, especially during infections.
• Sudden hearing loss after showering or swimming.
• Asking people to repeat themselves more often than usual.
• Children showing delayed speech development or inattentiveness.

Tests To Diagnose Conductive Hearing Loss

If you're experiencing hearing changes, your doctor will perform a few painless tests to identify the cause.

What to Expect During Your Appointment?

• A visual exam using an otoscope to check for wax, fluid, or injury.
• A hearing test (audiogram) to measure how well you hear various sounds.
• A tuning fork test to distinguish between conductive(pressure difference) and sensorineural hearing loss.
• Tympanometry, which checks how your eardrum responds to air pressure.

What the Results Reveal?

• If sound isn't reaching your inner ear properly, it's likely conductive hearing loss.
• If both air and bone conduction are affected, it may be a mixed type of hearing loss.
• A precise diagnosis helps your hearing care provider recommend the best treatment.

Treatment Options for Conductive Hearing Loss: From Medication to Surgery

The good news is that conductive hearing loss is often reversible with the right treatment.

Medical Treatment Options:

• Ear drops or oral antibiotics for ear infections or fungal issues.
• Decongestants and antihistamines to relieve pressure from allergies or sinus issues.
• Earwax removal by a professional to instantly restore hearing.
• Pain relievers like ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.

Surgical Options

Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS)

• A small titanium implant placed behind the ear sends sound through bone directly to the inner ear.
• Ideal for people with outer/middle ear damage, chronic infections, or one-sided deafness.
• Since it keeps the ear canal open, it is great for those with drainage issues.

Middle Ear Implants

• A device is surgically placed in the middle ear to enhance hearing.
• Suitable for those who can’t benefit from regular hearing aids.
• Doesn’t block the ear canal and offers clearer, more natural sound.

Tympanoplasty

• A surgical repair of a torn or perforated eardrum.
• Helps stop recurring infections and restores hearing.
• Tissue graft seals the hole, allowing the ear to heal properly.

Hearing Devices

• Traditional hearing aids amplify sound when other treatments don’t fully restore hearing.
• Bone conduction hearing aids bypass the outer and middle ear and deliver sound directly to the inner ear.

Recovery and Prevention Tips:

• Avoid inserting objects (including cotton swabs) into your ears.
• Keep ears dry and protected during swimming or bathing.
• Schedule regular hearing checkups, especially if you're prone to ear infections.
• Treat colds, allergies, and sinus infections early to avoid ear complications.

Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing

If you’ve noticed a change in your hearing, don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment of conductive hearing loss can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

Book a Free Hearing Test Today with Hearzap and get expert advice from licensed professionals.
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