The following has been taken from Oticon, Inc.'s Workbook for Parents of Children who are Newly Identified as Hard of Hearing by Melanie Sisson, Au.D.:
Conductive Hearing Loss
Sound is heard because the outer ear gathers sound and the middle ear moves it through to the organ of hearing (cochlea) and the hearing nerve (cranial nerve VIII). A conductive hearing loss indicates that something in the outer or middle ear stops the sound from reaching the cochlea and hearing nerve. Types of conductive hearing loss can include ear infection, fluid in the middle ear, hole in the eardrum, ear wax blocking the ear canal, or abnormal outer and/or middle ear structures. Conductive hearing losses are usually, but not always, temporary. They may last a few days, several weeks or even months. They can also change, or fluctuate by getting better or worse. The amount of hearing loss, the length of time the hearing loss is present, and how t changes all depends upon what is causing the hearing loss. One common cause of conductive hearing loss is ear infections or fluid in the middle ear. Ear infections and fluid in the middle ear are very common in children between birth and 6 years old- most common up to age 3. Nearly all children have at least one ear infection or one episode of fluid in the middle ear. At least 80 % of children have three or more infections or fluid before the age of three. It is the most common childhood illness except for the common cold. Fluid can remain in the middle ear for many weeks.
Many times, infections or fluid will cause slight to moderate hearing loss. The hearing loss can last as long as the fluid remains in the ear. It is particularly important to monitor and resolve middle ear fluid and infections if more permanent type hearing loss is also present because the fluid may cause further decrease in hearing.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Sound is heard because the outer ear gathers sound and the middle ear moves it through to the organ of hearing (cochlea) and the hearing nerve (cranial nerve VIII). A conductive hearing loss indicates that something in the outer or middle ear stops the sound from reaching the cochlea and hearing nerve. Types of conductive hearing loss can include ear infection, fluid in the middle ear, hole in the eardrum, ear wax blocking the ear canal, or abnormal outer and/or middle ear structures. Conductive hearing losses are usually, but not always, temporary. They may last a few days, several weeks or even months. They can also change, or fluctuate by getting better or worse. The amount of hearing loss, the length of time the hearing loss is present, and how t changes all depends upon what is causing the hearing loss. One common cause of conductive hearing loss is ear infections or fluid in the middle ear. Ear infections and fluid in the middle ear are very common in children between birth and 6 years old- most common up to age 3. Nearly all children have at least one ear infection or one episode of fluid in the middle ear. At least 80 % of children have three or more infections or fluid before the age of three. It is the most common childhood illness except for the common cold. Fluid can remain in the middle ear for many weeks.
Many times, infections or fluid will cause slight to moderate hearing loss. The hearing loss can last as long as the fluid remains in the ear. It is particularly important to monitor and resolve middle ear fluid and infections if more permanent type hearing loss is also present because the fluid may cause further decrease in hearing.
