Conductive hearing loss occurs when the ability to conduct sound from
the external and middle ear into the inner ear is lost. Most cases of
conductive hearing loss are temporary and are cured by means of and
appropriate medical treatment, so it is important to seek medical
assistance from an Ear Nose and Throat physician.
One of the most common causes is a blockage in the external ear canal,
usually caused by wax (excessive cerumen).
Other causes in the outer ear
can be:
- foreign object in the ear canal.
- Infections of the ear canal.
- A perforated or ruptured eardrum.
-
very small ears.
- cysts.
- Tumors
- Collapsed ear canal.
Middle ear conductive hearing loss occurs due to:
- Chronic middle
ear infections.
- Glue ear, where fluids fill up the middle ear, so that
the eardrum cannot move.
Conductive hearing loss can also be caused by
diseases, damage and physical changes in the middle ear such as:
- Otosclerosis, a bony growth which fuses the
bones in the ear together. .
- Cholesteatoma, a build up of skin on the eardrum
.
- Tumors, growths in the middle ear
- Otic barotrauma, caused by sudden change in air
or water pressure.
- A dislocation of the bones in the middle ear.
If you have a problem with your outer or middle ear, do not try to do anything
about it yourself. Rather, you should seek medical assistance.
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