A conductive hearing loss is a loss that occurs in the outer or middle portion of the ear where the sound waves are not conducted properly to the inner portion of the ear. The symptoms are as follows:
- earache or pain in the ear
- blocked ears or pressure
- loss of hearing
- bad odor from the ears
- tinnitus or ringing in the ears
The common causes of conductive hearing loss are:
- earwax accumulation
- obstruction of a foreign body like a q-tip or bug.
- infection due to water
- malformation of the outer ear like microtia or atresia
- middle ear infection
- perforation in the eardrum
- otosclerosis or hardening of one of the 3 bones in the middle ear.
- head injury
Conductive hearing losses are usually treatable and reversible. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, we recommend a referral to see us at the Hearing Institute of Ontario.
