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Illustration comparing sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss, highlighting causes for each part.

Hearing loss types

Hearing loss is something that can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. There are different types of hearing loss that are characterised by the underlying cause. However, there are also different ways of categorising it.
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Types of hearing loss
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Main Types of hearing loss
Subcategories of hearing loss types
Age, noise, wax or medical conditions
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Main Types of hearing loss

What are the Three Types of Hearing Loss?

The ear is made up of three parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear refers to the entrance of the ear canal up to the eardrum. The middle ear refers to the space between the eardrum and the cochlea, and the inner ear refers to the part of the ear that holds the hearing organ (a.k.a. cochlea) including the auditory nerve.

There are also generally considered to be three types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed.

Illustration explaining sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs due to damage in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Understanding sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is one of three types of hearing loss. Learn more about what it is, what causes it, and how you can prevent and manage the symptoms.
Illustration of conductive hearing loss showing sound blocked in the middle ear reducing sound transmission.

Understanding conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is one of three types of hearing loss. When sound fails to reach the inner ear through the outer and middle ear, you’re dealing with conductive hearing loss. Find out what causes it, the symptoms, and more information on proper prevention and treatment.
Illustration comparing sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss, highlighting causes for each part.

Understanding mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss  is one of three types of hearing loss. Damage to the outer, middle and inner ear simultaneously results in mixed hearing loss. Find out what causes it, the symptoms, and more information on proper prevention and treatment.
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Subcategories of hearing loss types

Other categories of hearing loss

Hearing loss can also be described as bilateral hearing loss, unilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in one ear) and sudden-hearing-loss.

Get your overview here:
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Understanding unilateral hearing loss

When hearing is lacking in one ear, it can have more impact than you think. Learn what causes unilateral hearing loss, how to identify it and the steps you can take to start hearing better today.
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Understanding sudden hearing loss

When it’s suddenly hard to hear, it can be scary. But we’re here to help guide you on your road to recovery. Learn what causes sudden hearing loss, how it can be identified and the steps you can take to start hearing better today.
Illustration explaining binaural hearing, the ability to hear with both ears and its benefits for sound localization.

Understanding bilateral hearing loss

As a type of hearing loss that affects both ears, bilateral hearing loss can occur symmetrically or asymmetrically. Learn more about the signs of bilateral hearing loss, what causes it and how you can prevent and manage your symptoms.

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Age, noise, wax or medical conditions

What could be the cause of your hearing loss?

There are many different reasons and causes. Sometimes a hearing loss can be as simple as too much earwax or a temporary ear infection. Let's look into the more common causes such as age and noise:

Age-related hearing loss

More often than not, the most common type of hearing loss happens to all of us - aging. 
Age-related hearing loss is a form of sensorineural hearing loss that happens as our nerves and hearing ability start to wear down over time.
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Noise-induced hearing loss

Too much noise = good vibrations but also bad hearing later down the line. Loud music feels good, but has a hidden cost. Other factors such as noisy work environment, DIY jobs at home with noisy tools can also cause hearing loss.
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Online hearing test

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Do you suspect that you have hearing loss? Take our free online hearing test. It only takes 5 minutes.
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Illustration of conductive hearing loss showing sound blocked in the middle ear reducing sound transmission.

Understanding conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss is one of three types of hearing loss. When sound fails to reach the inner ear through the outer and middle ear, you’re dealing with conductive hearing loss. Find out what causes it, the symptoms, and more information on proper prevention and treatment.
Illustration comparing sensorineural, conductive, and mixed hearing loss, highlighting causes for each part.

Understanding mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss  is one of three types of hearing loss. Damage to the outer, middle and inner ear simultaneously results in mixed hearing loss. Find out what causes it, the symptoms, and more information on proper prevention and treatment.
Illustration explaining sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs due to damage in the inner ear or auditory nerve.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is one of three types of hearing loss. Learn more about what it is, what causes it, and how you can prevent and manage the symptoms.

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