Conductive Hearing Loss Treatment in Joliet, New Lenox & Morris, IL

What is Conductive Hearing Loss?

This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the middle or outer area of the ear. This differs from sensorineural hearing loss, which results from damage to the inner ear or the nerve transmitting signals to the brain. Conductive hearing loss might be due to ear infections, blockages, or structural abnormalities. 

At ENT Surgical Consultants, our team of ENT physicians and audiologists work together to diagnose and treat conductive hearing loss across our three convenient locations in Joliet, New Lenox, and Morris, Illinois. 

Understanding Conductive Hearing Loss

There are many factors that can cause hearing loss. There are three types: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. 

Although sensorineural hearing loss is the most common, accounting for over 90 percent of cases, conductive hearing loss is the most common cause of hearing loss in young children making it a condition our Pediatric ENT team is well-equipped to evaluate and treat. 

Conductive hearing loss can affect both ears (bilateral) or one ear (unilateral) and vary in severity. 

Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss

If you think you may have hearing loss, you may experience the following symptoms. It is important to seek help early to avoid further complications. Fortunately, most cases of conductive hearing loss can be improved. 

Common indicators include: 

  • Experiencing muffled sounds 
  • Thinking people are mumbling or speaking unclearly 
  • A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear 
  • Pain or discomfort (if due to infection or blockage) 
  • Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in noisy environments 
  • Improvement in hearing when the sound is made louder 
  • Trouble distinguishing speech from background noise 
  • Ear popping or ringing 
  • Noticing that your own voice feels louder 
  • Balance issues 

Causes and Diagnosing Conductive Hearing Loss

Your ENT Surgical Consultants provider will talk with you about your symptoms to determine if you are experiencing conductive hearing loss. 

You can expect: 

  • An overview of your medical history 
  • Discussion about symptoms and hearing loss 
  • A physical exam with a look inside the ear 
  • Audiologic testing, which may include diagnostic audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing 
  • Tests to evaluate the nerve pathways when needed, such as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) 
  • Imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan 

Causes of this condition can vary widely, but most often include: 

  • Blockage of your ear canal 
  • Ear infections, especially chronic (a condition our team treats regularly) 
  • Ear tumors 
  • Ruptured or perforated eardrum 
  • Problems with the three small bones in your ear 
  • Fluid in the space between your eardrum and cochlea, often due to a cold or swimmer’s ear 
  • Foreign objects in the ear canal 
  • Ear wax 

Treating Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss may sound alarming, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, many people experience full or significant improvement in hearing. 

As you discuss your options with your ENT Surgical Consultants provider, treatment will vary depending on the cause, severity, and whether it is sudden or gradual. Sudden hearing loss requires urgent evaluation please contact our office right away or call our after-hours line at 855-897-8031. 

Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can significantly improve quality of life and communication. 

You can expect the following treatment options: 

  • Treatment for a medical emergency if it comes on suddenly 
  • Removal of ear wax or other blockage 
  • Management for diseases or tumors that could be influencing hearing 
  • Hearing aids for mild to moderate cases to help amplify sounds — available through our Audiology & Hearing Aid Center 
  • Surgery to repair the eardrum or bones, insert tubes, or implant a hearing device for more profound cases — performed by our experienced ENT physicians and surgeons 
  • Cochlear implants or bone-anchored hearing systems for appropriate candidates 
  • Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) to help in specific situations, such as amplifying the TV, assisting with phone calls, or Bluetooth devices for the classroom 

Schedule Your Appointment Today

ENT Surgical Consultants is Chicagoland’s premier ENT and Audiology center, proudly serving patients throughout Joliet, New Lenox, Morris, and the surrounding communities. Our physicians, surgeons, and audiologists collaborate to deliver comprehensive, state-of-the-art care under one roof.