What types of hearing loss are there?

Hearing loss: all types at a glance

Not hearing well does not mean the same thing for everyone. Different causes and degrees of hearing loss also require different solutions. Here is an overview of the different types of hearing loss.

When do I become hard of hearing?

If the hearing ability deviates from the defined hearing threshold by up to 20 dB, you are in the range of normal hearing.

Minor hearing loss begins at a deviation of 20 dB or more. At this level, sounds such as the ticking of a clock or the rustling of leaves can no longer be heard.

A hearing loss of 40 dB or more is referred to as moderate hearing loss, which corresponds to quiet conversations or refrigerator noises.

Severe hearing loss begins at a level of at least 60 dB. At this level, a conversation at normal volume can no longer be understood.

If you have a hearing loss of more than 80 dB, you can neither hear loud music nor passing cars. This is referred to as hearing loss bordering on deafness.

Conductive hearing loss

If sounds cannot reach the inner ear, this is known as conductive hearing loss. The reasons for this are, for example, an impairment of the middle ear or blockages in the outer ear - i.e. anything that prevents sound from reaching the inner ear. This can be due to causes such as earwax, fluids or infections, or due to congenital malformations such as atresia (malformation of the ear canal) or microtia (malformation of the pinna).

Acute conductive hearing loss caused by a foreign body, water in the external auditory canal or a middle ear infection are usually easy to treat and do not require a permanent hearing solution.

There are various approaches to treating chronic conductive hearing loss. These include middle ear implants, bone conduction implants and hearing aids anchored in the bone. Non-surgical hearing aids such as hearing aids based on bone conduction are also a possible solution.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss or sensorineural hearing loss is when the hair cells of the cochlea are damaged or absent. Here too, the cause may be congenital or the result of external influences such as excessive noise or head trauma. Sensorineural hearing loss also occurs more frequently in old age.

The possible solutions for sensorineural hearing loss include conventional hearing aids, cochlear implants, middle ear implants and electrical-acoustic stimulation. The right solution depends on the severity of the hearing loss.

Combined hearing loss

Combined hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. In this case, both the inner and middle and/or outer ear are affected.

There are also possible solutions for this: Middle ear implants and bone conduction implants can be considered.

Damage to the auditory nerve

If the auditory nerve is damaged or absent, neither a hearing aid nor a cochlear implant can help. The reason for this is that the sound signals cannot be transmitted to the brain via the auditory nerve.

One treatment option is a brainstem implant system.