The eustachian tube leads to the throat and helps equalize pressure in the middle ear. The inner ear includes the cochlea and the semi -circular canals. The cochlea looks like a snail shell. The semi-circular canals are the balance organ. Conductive hearing loss can occur if the structures of the outer or middle ear do not work correctly.
Conductive loss is more likely to respond to medical or surgical treatment .
Sensorineural hearing loss is more likely to be permanent. Mixed hearing loss involves both conductive as well as sensorineural components. Hearing is tested using earphones or loudspeakers which send sounds to the ear. Because hearing loss can occur in either or both ears, it is important that both ears are tested. If testing reveals a hearing loss, another device, called a bone vibrator, is used to determine the type of hearing loss.