A conductive
hearing loss occurs when the conduction of sound to the actual organ
of hearing (cochlea) is affected. In children common causes of conductive
hearing loss are: otitis externa (infection in the ear canal), wax in the
ear canal, fluid in the middle ear cavity (serous otitis), an ear
infection in the middle ear (otitis media), a perforation in the eardrum
or a collapsed canal. A cholesteotoma is a cyst in the middle ear. It
will also cause a conductive hearing loss. Otosclerosis which is a
disease that results in calcification of the stapes bone (stirrup) will
result in a conductive hearing loss. The latter two are not common in
children. A conductive hearing loss affects the loudness of sound.
A sensorineural
hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the actual organ of
hearing (cochlea). It is also called nerve deafness. A sensorineural
hearing loss will affect both loudness and clarity of speech. The damage
to the ear/s is permanent. It can occur in one or both ears. A
sensorineural hearing loss can vary in degree. It can be: mild,
moderate, severe or profound in nature. If a child has a
sensorineural hearing loss they will u be wearing hearing aids once they
are identified.
A mixed hearing
loss contains both conductive and sensorineural
components. For instance, a child who has a mild sensorineural hearing
loss and an ear infection is considered to have a mixed hearing loss.
Once the ear infection is cleared up the child will still have a
sensorineural hearing loss.