Conductive Hearing Loss and Its Treatment

A conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing impairment that reflects a mechanical block in the passage of sound through the outer ear, the tympanic membrane, or the middle ear ossicles. It may be distinguished from sensorineural hearing loss, in which the inner ear is unable to sense sound or to conduct electrical impulses to the central nervous system. A mixed hearing loss refers to the condition when both conductive and sensorineural components are present. Conductive hearing losses can result from pathology involving the outer ear, tympanic membrane, the ossicles, or any combination of these.

Diagnosis relies on comprehensive audiometric testing. If a simple obstruction is present, such as cerumen impaction or otitis externa, treatment is [Page 467]aimed at removing the obstruction. If there is ...