Affected people describe the hearing condition as "like having absorbent cotton in the ears." A muffled perception of sounds thus indicates this form of hearing loss. The particular symptom of conductive hearing loss is hearing quieter but maintaining intelligibility. Symptoms: recognizing conductive hearing loss That is, the bone conduction values are largely standard, while those for air conduction are striking. Thus, the air conduction hearing threshold is lower than the bone conduction hearing threshold (see audiogram below: line with arrows). In the audiogram, conductive hearing loss shows a drop in the air conduction hearing threshold curve (see audiogram below: line with circles). Increased pressure (e.g., in a tympanic effusion) or decreased pressure (e.g., in a ventilation disorder) accordingly provide clues to the cause of conductive hearing loss. An altered vibration behavior consequently results from a pressure difference and influences the sound conduction in the ear. Provided that there is the same pressure in the middle and outer ear, the eardrum vibrates normally. Tympanogram: By means of a tympanogram, the ability of the eardrum to vibrate can be recorded.This can be used to infer conductive damage. If no sound is audible when held next to the ear, the test is considered negative. The fork is then held next to the ear - the sound should be audible again. Rinne test: The tuning fork is also placed on the mastoid for the Rinne test until no sound is heard.If the hearing loss is unilateral, i.e., pronounced in only one ear, the Weber test will show this. Repeating the test on the other ear will tell if there is equal hearing on both sides. Weber test: For the Weber test, a tuning fork is placed on the mastoid (the bone behind the ear) and checked to see how long the patient hears the resulting sound.The result allows conclusions to be drawn about performance in speech comprehension.įurther tests help to specify the causes of hearing loss: Speech audiogram: A speech audiogram is generated on the basis of the patient's repeated utterance of monosyllabic and polysyllabic words.In addition, assumptions about the causes of hearing loss can be made based on the audiogram. In this way, bone conduction and air conduction are recorded separately, and it is possible to differentiate between conductive and acoustic hearing loss. Then, a repeat of the test takes place with a bone-conduction earphone behind the ear. The patient indicates at what point the tones are audible to him. Sound threshold audiogram: Sounds are played to the patient through headphones to create a sound threshold audiogram.Otoscopy: The external auditory canal and eardrum are examined for foreign bodies or obstructions, or with regard to injuries or pathological changes.There are several measures to detect a conductive hearing loss: Misformation of the external or middle earĭiagnosis: How is a conductive hearing loss detected?.Excessive bone growth in the ear canal (exostosis).Scarring/inflammation leading to narrowing of the ear canal (stenosis).
Consequence of chronic middle-ear infection.Possible causes of chronic conductive hearing loss: Infections leading to swelling of the ear canal.Water in the external ear canal (often occurs in swimmers).Congestion of the ear canal (e.g., due to earwax or foreign bodies).Possible causes of acute conductive hearing loss: To describe the causes, a distinction must be made between acute and chronic conductive hearing loss In order to make an appropriate diagnosis, various examinations are performed, which in turn provide indications for appropriate treatment methods. These include infections, a tympanic effusion and malformations. Both obstructions and malformations of the ear canal can cause a blockage, as can interfering factors in the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss - what is it and what can help?Ĭonductive hearing loss prevents sound waves from reaching sensory cells in the inner ear.
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