Conductive Hearing Loss
If the cause of a hearing loss is identified in the outer or middle ear it is a conductive hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is often temporary or medically treatable.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing losses are usually permanent due to damaged sensory cells located within the inner ear.

Retrocochlear Hearing Disorders
Sometimes hearing loss can be due to disorders of the auditory nerve, areas of the brain that process speech, or other areas of the central nervous system.  Additional tests are recommended to obtain additional information if retrocochlear pathology is suspected.

Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing losses involve a combination of any of the above-mentioned types of hearing losses and disorders. Sometimes mixed losses can be successfully fit with hearing aids or assistive listening devices.