Conductive hearing loss occurs when there are problems in the outer ear, ear canal, eardrum or middle ear. Sensorineural hearing loss involves a problem with the inner ear, and is frequently referred to as nerve deafness. Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both types. Treatment might involve a combination of medication, surgery and/or hearing aids. Unilateral hearing loss (sometimes referred to as single-sided deafness) affects one ear only, while bilateral hearing loss affects both ears.