What Are the Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss?

The conductive hearing loss causes are as follows:

1. Ear deformities: deformities including atresia of the external auditory meatus, deformity or disappearance of the auricle, deformity or disappearance of the ossicular chain, and cauliflower ears can cause conductive hearing loss.

2. Cerumen embolism: it is one of the causes of conductive hearing loss. The cerumen is usually expelled towards the opening of the auditory meatus. Sometimes the cerumen accumulates in the auditory meatus, forming an embolus, which can partially or completely block the auditory meatus. Cerumen embolus is brown or yellow. If the auditory meatus is wet, it will turn to maroon red, and will turn into black clumps when it dries (common in the elderly).

If the auditory meatus suffers from partial embolism, there will be no hearing loss; if the auditory meatus is completely blocked, there will be hearing loss. Before the cerumen is taken out, do not take a hearing test or choose a hearing aid.

3. External ear eczema: the hearing-impaired people feel that the external ear or external auditory meatus is itchy and painful, and the skin of the external auditory meatus is red and swollen. If the swelling is not serious and does not affect your hearing, you can do a hearing test, but you cannot choose a hearing aid right away.

4. External otitis: inflammation of the wall of the external auditory meatus. If the swelling is not severe, it will not cause conductive hearing loss.

5. External auditory meatus polyps: polyps are formed by the growth of cartilage toward the auditory meatus cavity. Any abnormal growth of polyps or bone tissue should be consulted by an ENT doctor.

6. Collapse of the external auditory meatus: it is related to the increase of age. The older, the more serious the collapse. Collapse of the external auditory meatus can cause partial or complete blockage of the auditory meatus. Lift the auricle upwards or backwards to open the auditory meatus.

7. Tympanic membrane perforation: it is caused by inflammation, foreign body, fracture, blasting sound or slap in the face. Small perforations can cause 10dB to 15dB loss, but small perforations usually heal on their own. Large perforations must be repaired surgically.

8. Pus discharge: no matter what color the pus is, please consult an ENT doctor.

9. Healing after perforation: it looks like a perforation, but when the otoscope is used, it will reflect light like a mirror. This is caused by healing after the perforation. Because the fiber layer cannot be regenerated, the healed tympanic membrane lacks a layer, and the so-called "mirror membrane" is formed.

10. Tumor or cholesteatoma: a special kind of otitis media. Most of them are perforation in the loose part of the tympanic membrane, and inflammation of the middle ear invades to the direction of the outer auditory meatus. The main feature is persistent foul-smelling pus. Those who have such symptoms should go to the ENT department immediately.

11. Enlargement of auditory meatus: it is mostly caused by surgery. These hearing-impaired people usually have the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain disappeared. At this time, the skin of the external auditory meatus becomes very sensitive. You should consult your doctor before choosing a hearing aid. Usually, when the tympanic membrane is perforated or the middle ear is repeatedly infected, the tympanic membrane will be scarred, which limits the mobility of the tympanic membrane and causes slight conductive hearing loss.

12. Tympanic membrane sclerosis: it is manifested as a white hardened scar, caused by degenerative lesions of the tympanic membrane tissue.

13. Foreign bodies: common foreign bodies in the external auditory meatus include cotton balls, insects, malt and other unpredictable stuff.