CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS:
The loss of sound sensitivity produced by abnormalities of the outer and/or middle ear. Common examples include middle ear fluid (ear infections), fusion or arthritis of the middle ear bones, and malformations of the outer ear as a consequence of trauma or a development problem at birth.

SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS:
The loss of sound sensitivity produced by abnormalities of the inner ear or nerve pathways beyond the inner ear to the brain.  Common examples include skull trauma, meningitis, and congenital or hereditary nerve dysfunctions.

MIXED HEARING LOSS:
The loss of sound sensitivity produced by a combination of conductive and sensorineural factors.  A common example would include a yound child with congenital sensorineural hearing loss who begins to develop middle ear infections and now add a conductive component to a baseline hearing loss.

SCALE OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT (measured in decibels)