There are three different types of hearing loss. The first is sensorineural hearing loss, which affects the inner ear or auditory nerve. The second type is conductive, while the third is a mixture of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss types. Conductive hearing loss happens when the passage of sound to the brain is blocked, either inside the ear canal or somewhere in the middle of the ear. If you have this type of hearing loss, the intensity of the sounds which you receive from the environment will be reduced before it reaches the cochlea, which is located in the middle of the ear. Here is what you need to know about this type of hearing loss and how hearing aids can help.

Earwax Build Up and Infections

There are a number of reasons why parts of your ear canal could get blocked, leading to reduced intensity of sound waves reaching the inner ear. One of the most common and easily fixable problems is earwax accumulation in the ear canal. If you are not keen about ear hygiene or you have an infection leading to the excessive production of earwax, the excess could block your canals, leading to temporary hearing loss. Repeated episodes of middle ear infections or what is known as otitis media could also lead to the blockage of the canal. 

Abnormal Growths in the Ear Canal

Another common reason why you could be experiencing hearing reduction could be abnormal growths in the ear canal. One of the common types of growth that affect the ear canal is otosclerosis, which is the growth of bone in the middle of the ear. This is a common problem with surfers. Another common growth that affects the ear canal is a cholesteatoma, which is a benign skin tumour. 

Getting the Right Treatment

The first step in getting the right treatment for conductive hearing loss is getting an ear health professional to carry out the diagnosis. They will help determine the cause of the hearing loss and the right correction measures. If the hearing loss is caused by tumours, they might recommend surgery. If the hearing loss has reached a point where it cannot be reversed, they will recommend hearing aids.

The first step in dealing with hearing loss is contacting a competent ear doctor for a diagnosis. After the diagnosis, they will determine whether you need a surgery or hearing aids to deal with the problem. With the help of a competent doctor, you could restore your hearing ability. 

For more information, contact a provider such as a micro BTE hearing aid provider.