Conductive
A conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is prevented from traveling from the outer ear to the inner ear. Causes include built-up wax in the ear canal, perforation of the eardrum, ear infections, and fixation or dislocation of one of the bones in the middle ear. Most conductive hearing losses can be treated medically or surgically.

Sensorineural
Sensorineural hearing loss, also known as nerve deafness, is the result of damage to the hair cells and/or nerve fibers in the inner ear that respond to sound. A sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. The most common cause of this type of hearing loss is noise exposure. Other causes include aging, certain medications, stroke, diiabetes, and circulatory disease. Sensorineural hearing loss also tends to run in families. Hearing aids and/or assistive devices (telephone/television amplifiers, etc.) are the only solution for a sensorineural hearing loss.