Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss is a condition that affects both adults and children, but because it is so much harder to diagnose – and therefore treat - conductive hearing loss in a child, different protocols have since evolved that help those who are primary caregivers as well as physicians to not only recognize moderate conductive hearing loss, but to also know when a conductive hearing loss audiogram is needed. To this end, here are four facts that have crystallized through research, pediatric conductive hearing loss treatment, and also accounts derived from interviews.

First and foremost, the nature of conductive hearing loss must be understood. In simplest terms, this kind of hearing impairment occurs when sound waves of any kind are not properly conducted either through the outer ear, the eardrum, or the ossicles themselves. While it is quite possible that conductive hearing loss may be a piece of a hearing impairment puzzle, it is at the same time quite possible for the condition to stand alone, in many ways making it harder to diagnose.

Secondly, a tell tale sign of the possible development of pediatric conductive hearing loss is the presentation of a child with frequent ear infections or a young child who is more than once diagnosed with a fluid build up behind the eardrum area. While it is true that these conditions are oftentimes brought on by colds, infections, and may perhaps only be a secondary symptom to a primary causation, the frequency with which such conditions recur in the same child should give cause for alarm and further testing.

Thirdly, while temporary conductive hearing loss is experienced by a child suffering from an ear infection, the fact that a child with such a condition will learn to make up for the inability to clearly hear will delay proper diagnosis. While the average temporary condition requires no more than five or six weeks to be completely gone, any longer lasting hearing impairments point to different problems – some of which may be diagnosed with the administration of the Weber Test.

Last but not least, if the hearing loss persists, tests for otosclerosis, tympanic membrane perforations, and even foreign objects in the ear canal must be administered. With the goal of ruling out conditions, the cause for the obstruction will be discovered and may be corrected from there. In the meantime, parents and also medical professionals will do well to remember that they are dealing with a youngster who will have affected hearing and may not be as quickly compliant as they would like!