I'm Sorry, what did you say?

Written by Karin Haugrud

More than 21 million Americans suffer from hearing impairment. Hearing loss is defined as any alteration of hearing capacity. According to the UCSF Health Medical Specialists, hearing loss can be of various degrees from mild, moderate, severe, profound, or total. Hearing loss can be classified as four different types: conductive, sensorineural, central and mixed hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss can be characterized by the loss of sound conduction to the inner ear (cochlea). It can result from a blockage of wax, a punctured eardrum, birth defects, ear infections, o...