Conductive hearing loss happens when sound is blocked from getting to the inner ear. It can make sounds and voices sound muffled, and soft sounds hard to hear. Treatment depends on what is causing the conductive hearing loss.

• Follow the health care provider's instructions for:
  • giving any medicines to your child
  • making any new or follow-up visits
• To help your child hear:
  • Get your child's attention before you start to talk.
  • Use facial expressions like smiling and gestures like pointing to help your child understand what you're saying.
  • Do not have the TV, music, or loud appliances on when you talk to your child.
• Teach your child to use their ears AND eyes to check for cars and other dangers when riding a bike or crossing a street.
• To protect hearing, teach your child to:
  • Avoid or move away from loud noises (such as from lawn mowers, power tools, and blenders).
  • Wear protective earplugs or earmuffs if a loud noise can't be avoided (cotton in the ears does not protect hearing).
  • Turn down the volume when listening to music.
  • Take breaks about every hour when wearing earbuds or earphones.
• If your child has trouble hearing the teacher at school:
  • Have your child sit closer to the teacher.
  • Ask the teachers to repeat information and check for understanding. Written directions and handouts can help older children understand what is said in the classroom.

• Your child's hearing loss seems to be getting worse.
• The hearing loss is not getting better after following the health care provider's instructions.

What causes conductive hearing loss? Causes of conductive hearing loss include:

• fluid in the middle ear (usually from ear infections, colds, or allergies)
• wax buildup in the ear canal
• a narrow or closed ear canal
• a hole in the eardrum

What is the treatment for conductive hearing loss? Treatment depends on the cause of the hearing loss. A child with an ear infection may need antibiotics. If there's too much earwax, the health care provider may remove it. Sometimes surgery is done to drain fluid from the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss usually gets better after the cause is found and treated.

Can conductive hearing loss lead to other problems? A child who does not hear well may have speech and learning problems. It also can be hard to talk to and be with friends. Identifying hearing loss and getting help early is the best way to prevent these problems.