Conductive Hearing Loss Treatment on Long Island, NY
What is Conductive Hearing Loss?
This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the middle or outer area of the ear. This differs from sensorineural hearing loss which results from damage to the inner ear or the nerve transmitting signals to the brain. Conductive hearing loss might be due to ear infections, blockages, or structural abnormalities.
At Ear Works Audiology, we provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for conductive hearing loss using advanced diagnostic tools and patient-focused care. Whether your symptoms are caused by ear infections, wax buildup, fluid, or structural issues in the outer or middle ear, our audiologists work to identify the underlying cause and recommend the most effective treatment options.
Schedule a thorough hearing assessment at Ear Works Audiology on Long Island and get personalized care designed around your needs.
Understanding Conductive Hearing Loss
Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss
If you think you may have hearing loss, you may experience the following symptoms. It is important to seek help early to avoid further complications.
Fortunately, most cases of conductive hearing loss can be improved.
Common indicators include:
- Experiencing muffled sounds
- Thinking people are mumbling or speaking unclearly
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Pain or discomfort (if due to infection or blockage)
- Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in noisy environments
- Improvement in hearing when the sound is made louder
- Trouble distinguishing speech from background noise
- Ear popping or ringing
- Noticing that your own voice feels louder
- Balance issues
Causes and Diagnosing Conductive Hearing Loss
Your provider will talk with you about your symptoms to determine if you are experiencing conductive hearing loss.
- An overview of your medical history
- Discussion about symptoms and hearing loss
- A physical exam with a look inside the ear
- Audiologic testing
- Tests to evaluate the nerve pathways when needed
- Imagining tests like an MRI or CT scan
- Blockage of your ear canal
- Ear infections, especially chronic
- Ear tumors
- Ruptured or a hole in your ear drum
- Problems with three small bones in your ear
- Fluid in the space between your ear drum and cochlea, often due to a cold or swimmer's ear
- Foreign objects in the ear canal
- Ear wax
Treating Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss may sound alarming, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, many people experience full or significant improvement in hearing.
As you discuss your options with your provider, treatment for conductive hearing loss may vary depending on the:
- Cause
- Severity
- Whether it is sudden or gradual
- Treatment for a medical emergency if it comes on suddenly
- Removal of ear wax or other blockage
- Management for diseases or tumors that could be influencing hearing
- Hearing aids for mild to moderate cases do help amplify sounds
- Surgery to repair the eardrum/bones, insert tubes, or implant a hearing device for more profound cases
- Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) to help in specific situations like amplifying the TV, assisting with phone calls, or blue tooth divides for the classroom