Hearing Conditions We Treat

Conditions Treated and Services at Emory Audiology

At Emory Audiology, we help adults with hearing loss improve their quality of life. Our team of experts offers advanced treatments and services for disorders that:

  • Are caused by illness, injury, or disease progression
  • Are present at birth (congenital disorders)
  • Develop because of prolonged exposure to noise
  • Develop as you age

We dedicate ourselves to improving your hearing and increasing communication with others. There are three types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive and mixed.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural loss occurs when the inner ear or the actual hearing organ becomes permanently damaged. It is the most common type of hearing loss. The condition is not typically treated with medicine or surgery. Instead, many people find that hearing aids or cochlear implants can help.

Causes include:

  • Aging
  • An inherited condition
  • Disease
  • Exposure to loud noise
  • Injury
  • Ototoxic drugs (medications that cause hearing loss)

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs in the outer or middle ear when sound waves cannot reach the inner ear. In some people, this may be a temporary loss treated with medication or surgery. Temporary conductive hearing loss may occur in children with recurrent ear infections.

Causes include:

  • A foreign object in the ear canal
  • Bone abnormality
  • Earwax blockage
  • Excess fluid in the middle ear
  • Infection

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss occurs when you have both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. People may have a sensorineural hearing loss and then develop a conductive component.

The Emory Audiology team can develop a treatment plan based on your unique needs and goals.

Request an Appointment
To make an appointment at the Emory Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology Audiology Program, please call 404-778-3381.