Conductive
Hearing Loss
When Sound Can’t Reach the Inner Ear
What is Conductive Hearing Loss?
Conductive hearing loss occurs when something in the outer or middle ear prevents sound from passing efficiently to the inner ear. Think of it as a blockage or “roadblock” in the sound pathway.
​
Because the inner ear and auditory nerve are still working, sound can often be made clear again once the blockage or issue is resolved — making conductive hearing loss one of the most treatable forms of hearing loss.
Common Causes
Conductive hearing loss can happen suddenly or develop gradually. Some of the most common causes include:
​
-
Earwax buildup (cerumen impaction) – A very common and easily treated cause
-
Ear infections (otitis media or externa) – Fluid behind the eardrum or in the canal
-
Perforated eardrum – A hole or tear in the tympanic membrane
-
Eustachian tube dysfunction – Poor pressure equalization (often linked to allergies, sinus infections, or colds)
-
Abnormal bone growth (otosclerosis) – The ossicles (tiny bones of the middle ear) become stiff or fixed
-
Foreign objects – Most common in children, but can happen at any age
-
Middle ear tumors or cholesteatoma – Less common but serious causes
1. Cerumen Impaction
2. Normal TM vs. Otitis Media
3. Perforated Eardrum
4. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
5. Otosclerosis
6. Foreign Objects
7. Middle Ear Cholesteatoma
Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss
Patients with conductive loss often describe sounds as muffled or blocked, as if their ears are plugged. Common symptoms include:
​
-
Difficulty hearing faint sounds
-
A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
-
Pain or tenderness if infection is present
-
Drainage from the ear canal (if infection or perforation exists)
-
Better hearing in one ear than the other
Diagnosis
Conductive hearing loss is usually identified with a hearing test (audiogram) and sometimes additional testing like:
​
-
Tympanometry: Measures eardrum and middle ear function
-
Otoscopy: Visual examination of the ear canal and eardrum
-
Medical evaluation: If infection, growth, or structural issues are suspected
Treatment Options
The good news: many cases of conductive hearing loss can be medically or surgically treated, depending on the cause. Examples include:
​
-
Wax removal (manual or microsuction)
-
Antibiotics or other medication for ear infections
-
Surgical repair for eardrum perforations or abnormal bone growth
-
Pressure equalization techniques for Eustachian tube dysfunction
​
For cases that cannot be fully corrected medically, hearing aids or bone conduction devices can provide excellent benefit.
Why It Matters
Even though conductive hearing loss can often be resolved, ignoring it can cause bigger problems — from chronic infections to permanent inner ear damage. Early evaluation ensures treatment is simple, safe, and effective.
💡 Did You Know?
The bones of the middle ear (malleus, incus, and stapes) are the smallest bones in the human body — yet problems here can cause a major reduction in hearing clarity.