Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. It is one of the most common health conditions in the United States, impacting millions of individuals. If you are experiencing hearing changes and are searching for a trusted ENT doctor in the Little Rock area or an experienced North Little Rock audiologist, Arkansas ENT provides comprehensive hearing loss evaluation and treatment for patients throughout the Little Rock and Central Arkansas areas.

Our board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialists in North Little Rock work closely with licensed audiologists to accurately diagnose hearing loss and create personalized treatment plans based on your specific needs.

There are three primary types of hearing loss. Accurate diagnosis is essential to determining the most effective treatment.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot efficiently travel through the outer or middle ear. Common causes include:

• Fluid in the middle ear
• Ear infections (otitis media)
• Eustachian tube dysfunction 
• Earwax (cerumen) impaction 
• Perforated eardrum 
• Ossicular (middle ear bone) discontinuity
   

Many cases of conductive hearing loss are medically or surgically treatable. Our North Little Rock ENT doctors evaluate these conditions and recommend appropriate medical or procedural care.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss and is typically permanent. It results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve. Possible causes include:

• Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)
• Noise exposure 
• Ototoxic medications 
• Genetic or hereditary factors 
• Inner ear malformations 
• Head trauma
   

In most cases, medication or surgery cannot correct sensorineural hearing loss. However, hearing aids and advanced audiology care are often highly effective. Our Little Rock audiologists specialize in fitting modern hearing technology to improve communication and quality of life.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Treatment often involves addressing the conductive component medically or surgically while managing the sensorineural component with hearing aids or other assistive technology.

At Arkansas ENT in North Little Rock, AR, our audiologists perform thorough hearing evaluations to determine the type and severity of hearing loss. Based on your results, our ENT and audiology team will develop a customized treatment plan designed to restore hearing function whenever possible and improve long-term hearing health.

If you are looking for a trusted hearing loss doctor in the Little Rock area or an audiologist near you, Arkansas ENT is committed to providing expert, compassionate care using the latest diagnostic and treatment options.

Learn more about hearing loss on our blog.