Conductive hearing loss is often treated medically or surgically.  However, in cases where medical or surgical intervention is not appropriate, individuals with conductive hearing loss may be managed with hearing aids, including such special devices as bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) or bone conductor hearing aids.

Unlike conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is almost always permanent.  It is generally managed through aural rehabilitation, which may include amplification with hearing aids, cochlear implant or auditory brainstem implants, or an assistive listening device. In some instances, medical treatment may be required – for example, surgical removal of acoustic neuroma – but these cases are less common.

In some cases of mixed hearing loss, medical treatment of the cause of the conductive component of the hearing loss may improve the individual’s overall hearing.  Only a relatively small portion of adult hearing problems, such as ear infection and middle ear diseases, are medically or surgically treatable.  If the condition cannot be treated medically or surgically, hearing aids may be beneficial.