MED-EL · Cochlear Implants
SYNCHRONY 2
MED-EL's latest cochlear implant, designed for the closest to natural hearing, simple surgery and MRI scans…
View detailsAbout Hearing
Types of hearing loss
Hearing loss can affect one ear or both, and it has many different causes. There are four main types, and each type can usually be treated.
The four main types
Choose a type to read what causes it and how it can be treated.
Inner ear
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss happens when the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged or missing. It can run in families, or follow a head injury, exposure to loud noise or other causes in the environment. It is also a common part of ageing.
It is usually permanent, but it can be treated. The right option depends on how severe it is. Hearing aids are often the first step for mild to moderate loss. Starkey hearing aids
Implant solutions for sensorineural hearing loss
Outer and middle ear
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss happens when sound cannot reach the inner ear. The cause may be in the outer or middle ear: ear wax, fluid, an infection, damage to the middle ear or, more rarely, a growth. Some babies are born with conditions such as atresia or microtia that cause it.
Some causes can be treated medically. Where they cannot, the options include middle ear implants, bone conduction implants and bone conduction devices that need no surgery.
Solutions for conductive hearing loss
More than one part of the ear
Mixed hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. It comes from problems in the inner ear and in the outer or middle ear at the same time.
Options for mixed hearing loss include middle ear implants and bone conduction implants.
Solutions for mixed hearing loss
Hearing nerve
Neural hearing loss
Neural hearing loss happens when the hearing nerve is damaged or missing. Hearing aids and cochlear implants cannot help, because the nerve is not able to pass sound information to the brain.
In many cases, an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) is an option. It is provided through specialist implant teams. Contact us and we will help you with the next steps.
How severe is it?
Each type of hearing loss can range from mild to profound. Your audiogram shows the degree of hearing loss at each pitch.
Hearing loss in depth
Why single-sided deafness is tiring, and the options that can restore hearing on both sides.
Newborn screening, early action and cochlear implants for children.
Not sure which type you have?
A hearing test shows the type and degree of your hearing loss, and we will explain the options clearly.