Conductive Hearing Loss Treatment in Suwanee, GA
What Is Conductive Hearing Loss?
Conductive hearing loss is caused by damage or obstruction in 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 can stem from ear infections, blockages, or structural abnormalities and in many cases, it is treatable.
At ENT of Georgia North, Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg and audiologist Dr. Carrie Dunn work together to diagnose and treat conductive hearing loss for patients throughout the Atlanta Metro Area, including Suwanee, Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Buford, Braselton, and Gwinnett County.
Understanding Conductive Hearing Loss
Hearing loss generally falls into three categories: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. While sensorineural hearing loss is the most common overall accounting for more than 90% of adult cases conductive hearing loss is the most frequent cause of hearing loss in young children. This makes it a condition ENT of Georgia North is especially well-equipped to evaluate and treat, with both ENT physician expertise and on-site audiology services available under one roof.
Conductive hearing loss can affect one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral) and can range from mild to more significant impairment. The encouraging news is that most cases are medically or surgically correctable.
Symptoms of Conductive Hearing Loss
If you suspect hearing loss in yourself or your child, early evaluation is important to prevent further complications and get the right treatment in place. Most cases of conductive hearing loss can be meaningfully improved with proper care.
Common symptoms include:
- Muffled or unclear sounds
- The sense that people are mumbling or not speaking clearly
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Pain or discomfort, particularly if the cause is infection or blockage
- Difficulty following conversations, especially in noisy settings
- Noticeable improvement in hearing when sounds are made louder
- Trouble separating speech from background noise
- Ear popping or ringing
- The perception that your own voice sounds unusually loud
- Balance issues
Causes and Diagnosing Conductive Hearing Loss
When you visit ENT of Georgia North, Dr. Goldberg and the team will take a thorough, unhurried approach to understanding your symptoms and identifying the cause of your hearing loss. You can expect:
- A review of your medical and family history
- A detailed discussion of your symptoms
- A physical exam with direct visualization of the ear
- Audiologic testing by Dr. Dunn, which may include diagnostic audiometry, tympanometry, and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing when nerve pathway evaluation is needed
- Imaging studies such as MRI or CT scan when indicated
Conductive hearing loss has a wide range of potential causes, most commonly including:
- Blockage of the ear canal
- Ear infections, including chronic or recurrent infections — a condition our team treats regularly
- Ear tumors
- A ruptured or perforated eardrum
- Problems with the three small bones (ossicles) in the middle ear
- Fluid behind the eardrum, often following a cold or from swimmer’s ear
- Foreign objects lodged in the ear canal
- Excessive earwax buildup
Treating Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss can sound alarming, but with accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many patients experience full or significant restoration of hearing. At ENT of Georgia North, Dr. Goldberg’s dual board certification in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery means you have access to both medical and surgical expertise in a single, convenient Suwanee location.
Treatment is always tailored to the cause, severity, and onset of your hearing loss. If hearing loss comes on suddenly, please contact our office right away at (770) 495-3820 sudden hearing loss requires urgent evaluation.
Treatment options may include:
- Urgent medical management for sudden-onset hearing loss
- Earwax removal or clearing of other blockages
- Medical management of infections, inflammatory conditions, or tumors affecting the ear
- Hearing aids for mild to moderate cases — available through our on-site audiology services with Dr. Dunn
- Surgery to repair the eardrum or ossicles, place ear tubes, or implant a hearing device — performed by Dr. Goldberg at affiliated hospitals including Northside Hospital, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Cochlear implants or bone-anchored hearing systems for appropriate candidates
- Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for specific situations, such as TV amplification, phone use, or classroom settings
Schedule Your Appointment Today
ENT of Georgia North is a premier ENT and audiology practice proudly serving Suwanee and the surrounding Atlanta Metro communities including Peachtree Corners, Duluth, Buford, Braselton, and Gwinnett County. Dr. Goldberg and Dr. Dunn collaborate to deliver comprehensive, state-of-the-art hearing care under one roof, so you never have to coordinate between separate practices.
Call us at (770) 495-3820 or contact our office online to schedule your evaluation. We see both children and adult patients, and we’re committed to giving you the time and attention your care deserves.