Conductive loss is very often a temporary hearing loss that can be corrected with medication or clearing the ear canal. These cases stem from problems with the outer or middle part of your ear.

Sensorineural loss is the most common type of hearing loss and includes most hearing loss cases. In fact, it is believed that 90% of hearing problems in adults are from sensorineural hearing loss. The majority of the time, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and medical treatment or surgery will not reverse the effects. Hearing aids are the most effective treatment with these cases.

• You have to ask people to repeat what they say often
• You begin to have difficulties hearing in noisy environments
• You struggle to understand people if they are not directly facing you
• You often think other people are mumbling or their voice sounds muffled
• Other people tell you that you speak very loudly
• Loved ones or co-workers become frustrated during repetitive conversations
• You have to turn the TV and other electronic devices up to higher volumes
• You need to watch people speak to understand them
• It becomes harder to understand children and people with higher voices
• You mishear others often and respond inappropriately in conversations

• You become annoyed with people because you cannot understand them
• You feel stressed and tired from trying to hear what others say
• You begin to avoid social situations and loud environments
• You feel embarrassed in conversations and social situations from misunderstandings
• You become anxious and nervous about trying to understand others