Definition

Sometimes people can have a combination of both a sensorineural hearing loss and a conductive hearing loss. They may have a sensorineural hearing loss and then develop a conductive component in addition. Diagnostic hearing evaluation is critical for discovering exactly what type of hearing loss you have and will help determine the appropriate treatment plan and necessary referral.

Cause

A mixed hearing loss can happen over time when one hearing loss is compounded by another. For example, a person with a long-standing conductive hearing loss might experience age-related hearing loss as they age. Alternatively, a person with age-related hearing loss may have a temporary mixed hearing loss due to a wax impaction.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a mixed hearing loss will be some combination of the symptoms listed above for the other two types of hearing losses.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on whether the loss is more sensorineural or conductive in nature. If a greater portion of the loss is caused by a conductive component, surgical procedures and other medical treatments might be more effective in correcting the hearing concerns. If a greater portion of the loss is sensorineural, hearing aids may be the best option.