The main difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is where the problem occurs in the ear. Conductive hearing loss happens in the outer or middle ear, preventing sound from reaching the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs in the inner ear or auditory nerve, reducing the ear’s ability to convert sound into nerve signals or send them to the brain.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive hearing loss (outer or middle ear) and sensorineural hearing loss (inner ear or hearing nerve) in the same ear. This means sounds can seem both too quiet and unclear, even when loud enough.
Noticing the signs of hearing loss in children early can make a world of difference. Kids learn language, social skills, and confidence by listening to the people around them. When hearing is reduced, those developmental building blocks can get wobbly. The tricky part is that hearing loss in children isn’t always obvious.
Degrees of hearing loss describe how severe hearing loss is, from mild to profound, based on the quietest sounds you can hear during a hearing test. These levels are measured in dB HL (decibels hearing level) and help explain what your results mean in everyday life. Understanding these degrees can make hearing test results easier to interpret and less overwhelming.
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a type of hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea or the auditory nerve. Historically, it was also called “nerve hearing loss” or even “nerve deafness,” and it affects how sound signals travel from your ear to your brain.
Muffled hearing in one ear can feel like your ear is blocked, clogged, or “underwater.” When it happens suddenly, it’s natural to worry. In many cases, this one-sided muffled hearing is caused by something temporary and treatable—such as earwax buildup, congestion, fluid, or pressure changes in the ear.
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