Conductive deafness is a condition when sound cannot enter the inner ear due to problems with the ear canal, eardrum, or the ossicles in the middle ear. Hearing loss can be caused by several things, ranging from blockage of earwax, infections, to tumors in the ear.
The process of hearing begins with the capture of sound waves around us by the ear canal. In the ear, the sound waves will make the bones of hearing in the middle ear vibrate.
Then, the vibration then stimulates the nerve cells in the inner ear to transmit it to the brain. The process of transmitting sound from the ear to the nerves so that it can be processed by the brain is what makes the ear able to hear.
If there is damage or interference with that part of the ear, hearing loss will occur. One of the most common hearing loss is conductive deafness.
Causes of Conductive Deafness
Conductive deafness is a type of deafness that occurs due to impaired hearing bone or connective tissue in the ear, so it cannot conduct sound properly. In addition to disturbances in both parts, deafness can also be caused by disorders of the nerves of the ear or brain (sensorineural deafness).
People with conductive deafness usually have difficulty hearing low voices. While the louder sound may be heard softly. This hearing loss is most common in children who have recurrent ear infections or who frequently insert foreign objects into their ear canals.
The occurrence of conductive deafness can be caused by several things, including:
- Fluid in the middle ear.
- Middle ear infection (otitis media) or infection of the ear canal (otitis externa).
- Infection of the eustachian tube that connects the middle ear and nose.
- Hole in eardrum.
- Tumors that block the middle and outer ear.
- Blocked earwax in the ear canal.
- Ear deformity due to a birth defect, injury, or surgery on the ear.
- Otosclerosis, which is a disorder that makes the bones of the hearing in the middle ear fuse together, making it stiff and difficult to transmit sound.
Whatever the cause, deafness that occurs suddenly or is felt to be getting worse and worse is a condition that needs to be checked by an ENT doctor immediately.
To determine the cause and severity of conductive deafness, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the ear, as well as perform supporting examinations, such as hearing tests, audiometry, CT scan, and ear MRI.
Conductive Deafness Treatment
Treatment for conductive deafness will be adjusted to the cause and severity of the patient's deafness. To treat conductive deafness, doctors will usually do:
1. Ear wax cleaning
There are several methods for removing earwax. One of them is ear irrigation by spraying sterile salt water (saline solution) or mineral oil into the ear to thin out ear wax. This method can only be done by an ENT doctor.
If you want to clean your ears yourself at home, find out more or ask your doctor about safe ear cleaning.
2. Treatment of ear infections
If there is an infection in the outer, middle, or inner ear, the doctor will provide antibiotic treatment in the form of ear drops or oral medication.
In certain cases, surgery may also be needed if there is an ear injury or a buildup of pus in the middle ear that causes the eardrum to become inflamed and swollen. This surgery can be done to help drain pus from the ear cavity and prevent the eardrum from bursting.
3. Hearing aid installation
Hearing aids may be placed behind or in the ear canal. This hearing aid works by converting sound vibrations into electrical impulses to be received by the auditory nerve, so that the hearing process can take place more smoothly.
With hearing aids, conductive deaf people will more easily hear certain sounds that were previously difficult to hear. To help determine the aids with and how to set up and how to use them, patients can consult further with an ENT doctor.
4. Cochlear implant placement
The procedure for placing a cochlear implant is preferred in patients with sensorineural deafness. However, cochlear implant surgery can also be performed on people with severe conductive deafness or who are not helped by hearing aids.
This operation aims to install a tool in the inner ear so that sounds from outside can be captured by the ear nerve. With this, it is hoped that the hearing process can be helped.
If hearing has completely ceased to function and other measures have been tried, then the conductive deaf person can still communicate in other ways, such as using assistive devices or learning sign language.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss
To reduce the risk of conductive hearing loss or other hearing loss, you can do the following:
- Do not listen to television, radio, or music at a volume that is too loud.
- Use ear protection such as headphones, ear muffs, or ear plugs to block out loud sounds at work or in noisy places.
- Do not insert fingers or objects such as cotton buds, cotton swabs, cloths, and tissue into the ear.
- Get regular hearing checks at least once a year or two, especially if you are a musician or work in a noisy environment.
Because hearing is so important, keep your ears and hearing organs healthy to prevent conductive deafness or other hearing loss.
If you feel that your hearing is reduced due to conductive deafness, immediately go to an ENT specialist for an examination and proper treatment.