Hearing loss has many different causes and contributing factors, depending on which type of hearing loss is diagnosed. The three basic types of hearing loss are Conductive loss, Sensorineural loss and Mixed loss.
Conductive hearing loss: It is caused by impairment of the outer or middle ear that prevents sound from being conducted to the inner ear. Ex: Ear Wax, Infection, etc. This may be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.
Sensorineural hearing loss: it is the most common type of hearing loss, occurring when there is damage to either tiny hair cells- of the inner ear or the auditory nerve itself, which weakens the transfer of nerve signals to the brain. Ex: Aging, High Noise Exposure, etc. This is mostly permanent
Mixed hearing loss: that has both conductive and sensorineural components is categorized as mixed. They may have sensorineural hearing loss and then develop a conductive component in addition or vice-versa. Ex: Age-related loss with Ear wax.