When a patient comes to my clinic saying “I can hear, but I can’t quite understand” or “my ear feels blocked”, it’s often not a case of the ear ageing, but of conductive hearing loss. It’s a type of hearing loss far more common than people think, and — most importantly — one with an excellent outlook if we act in time.
As a hearing care specialist in Valencia, I see this problem every day. So I want to explain, in simple terms, exactly what’s happening inside your ear and what solutions are available today.
What is conductive hearing loss?
Imagine your ear is a house. For the music to reach the living room (the inner ear), it first has to travel down the hallway (outer ear) and through a door (middle ear). Conductive hearing loss happens when there’s a physical blockage somewhere along that hallway or at that door.
The ear works like a transmission system. Sound enters through the ear canal, makes the eardrum vibrate, and passes through a chain of tiny bones. If anything along this path goes wrong, sound arrives weaker or distorted.
The key thing to understand here is that the inner ear is usually working just fine. The problem lies in how the sound is being carried.
Most common symptoms
Many patients don’t say “I’m deaf” — they describe sensations instead. If any of these sound familiar, you may have conductive hearing loss:
- Occlusion effect: Your own voice sounds like it’s booming inside your head, but other people’s voices come through faint.
- Improves with volume: Unlike other hearing problems, if you turn the TV up, you understand it perfectly (no distortion — just a lack of power).
- Constant pressure: A feeling of heaviness that doesn’t go away when you yawn or swallow.
Main causes of conductive hearing loss
This is where it’s worth pausing. Not all causes are the same, and this directly affects the solution.
1. Earwax blockage: One of the most common causes. Sometimes, using cotton buds compacts the wax until it forms a blockage. Earwax is natural and necessary, but when it builds up too much it can block the ear canal.
- Strength: quick to resolve
- Limitation: can come back if not properly managed
2. Middle ear otitis: Inflammation or infection of the middle ear can produce fluid that prevents sound from being properly transmitted.
- Strength: can be temporary
- Limitation: can recur if not managed
3. Perforated eardrum: The eardrum can be damaged by infections, pressure changes or trauma.
- Strength: heals on its own in some cases.
- Limitation: in others, requires medical treatment
4. Otosclerosis: An abnormal change in the tiny bones of the middle ear, particularly the stapes, which hinders sound transmission.
- Strength: treatable
- Limitation: progresses over time if left unmanaged
5. Malformations or structural changes: Some people are born with changes to the structure of the outer or middle ear.
- Strength: hearing can be fitted/adapted
- Limitation: doesn’t always have a complete solution
Is conductive hearing loss reversible?
Here’s the best news: in the vast majority of cases, the answer is YES.
Since it’s a “transmission” problem, once we remove the barrier, hearing usually returns to normal levels.
Depending on the cause, we can:
- Remove the blockage (for example, earwax)
- Treat the infection
- Use medication
- Turn to surgery in specific cases
That said, no two cases are the same, which is why I always recommend a personalised assessment. If the loss can’t be fully corrected, hearing aids are an excellent solution. Since the inner ear is healthy, hearing aids work extremely effectively, restoring clarity immediately without needing a long fitting process.
How does it affect everyday life?
Even though it’s not always seen as serious, conductive hearing loss can have a big impact on quality of life:
- Difficulty following conversations
- A feeling of disconnection
- Listening fatigue
- Problems in noisy environments
And something I see very often: people get used to it and put off finding a solution.
Differences from other types of hearing loss
It’s important not to confuse it with sensorineural hearing loss.
| Type of loss | Where the problem is | Solution |
| Conductive | Outer or middle ear | Often reversible |
| Sensorineural | Inner ear | Not reversible, but treatable |
When should you get checked?
I’d recommend a check-up if you notice:
- The blocked feeling lasts more than 3 days.
- Your hearing changes depending on the position of your head.
- You have a history of recurring infections.
Remember: Understanding what’s happening is the first step to enjoying the everyday sounds in your life again.
Prevention: small habits that help
Not everything can be prevented, but we can reduce the risks:
- Don’t insert objects into the ear
- Avoid cotton buds
- Treat infections promptly
- Regular check-ups
Simple habits that make a real difference.
My experience in the clinic
In Valencia, with our humid climate, otitis and earwax blockages are a constant. My advice is clear: don’t wait for your ear to “unblock on its own”.
Sometimes what looks like a simple blockage is actually inflammation that, if it becomes chronic, can permanently damage the tiny bones of the ear. A check-up at our hearing centre in Valencia lets us find out exactly where the blockage is.
If you’ve read this far, you now know that conductive hearing loss, in many cases, has a clear solution or improvement. The key is not to normalise the symptoms and to act in time.
In my day-to-day work, I see how a single check-up can completely change the way someone hears — and, above all, the way they live. That’s why my advice is clear: if your ear feels blocked, you’re hearing worse, or you’re simply not sure, don’t let it go.
Come and visit our hearing centre in Valencia. We’ll assess your case individually and explain what’s going on and how we can help.
Hearing well isn’t a luxury — it’s quality of life. And taking the first step is easier than it seems. You can call us on 960 659 592 or message us on WhatsApp at 621 00 16 93 to book a free appointment.
Often, restoring your hearing isn’t about hearing louder — it’s about removing whatever is stopping sound from properly reaching your ear.
