Difference between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss
Dec 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Conductive hearing loss is mostly caused by lesions in the external auditory canal and middle ear; sensorineural hearing loss mainly involves lesions in the inner ear or along the pathway from the inner ear to the brain. In addition to hearing loss, conductive hearing loss is often accompanied by a sensation of ear fullness or blockage, whereas sensorineural hearing loss is commonly associated with tinnitus and even dizziness. On an audiogram, conductive hearing loss shows two distinct curves, while sensorineural hearing loss shows a single curve.
The difference between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss lies in the location of the lesion, symptoms, and audiogram curve patterns.
1. Different lesion locations: Conductive hearing loss usually involves lesions in the external auditory canal or middle ear; sensorineural hearing loss primarily involves lesions in the inner ear or along the auditory pathway from the inner ear to the brain.
2. Different symptoms: Besides hearing loss, conductive hearing loss is often accompanied by a sensation of ear fullness or blockage; sensorineural hearing loss, apart from hearing decline, is commonly associated with tinnitus and even symptoms such as dizziness.
3. Different audiogram curve patterns: In conductive hearing loss, bone conduction is typically preserved while air conduction shows significant reduction, resulting in two distinct curves on the audiogram; in sensorineural hearing loss, both bone and air conduction thresholds decrease similarly across frequencies, producing a single curve on the audiogram.
Besides the above differences, the causes and treatment approaches for the two types also differ. It is recommended to visit a hospital to determine the specific cause and then select an appropriate treatment plan accordingly.
