Mixed Hearing Loss:
What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Wondering if your hearing loss is age-related, a blockage or structural issue, or a mix of both? Mixed hearing loss may sound complicated, but it’s treatable with the right care.
What Is Mixed Hearing Loss?
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of two types: conductive and sensorineural. To understand the mixed hearing loss definition, think of it as a two-part issue:
- The conductive part: This occurs when something in the outer or middle ear - such as a physical blockage or structural condition - prevents sound from traveling efficiently to the inner ear.
- The sensorineural part: This occurs when there is damage to the auditory nerve or inner ear (cochlea), which affects your brain's ability to receive and process sound signals.
With mixed conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, you’re experiencing a "volume" issue (sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear) and a "clarity" issue (the sound isn't processed correctly).
While this sounds like a lot to manage, a hearing specialist can create a plan that addresses both sides of the equation to help you hear your best.
Don’t wait for the silence.
Causes of Mixed Hearing Loss
Identifying what’s causing your mixed hearing loss is the first step toward finding the right solution. Your hearing care specialist will examine your ears and identify what’s causing your hearing loss.
Common causes of mixed hearing loss include:
- Aging combined with a physical blockage: You may have natural, age-related hearing loss (sensorineural) but also happen to have temporary earwax buildup (conductive).
- Chronic infections: Ongoing middle ear infections can cause fluid buildup (conductive) while also gradually damaging the delicate hair cells in the inner ear (sensorineural).
- Trauma or injury: A sudden injury, such as a head trauma, might damage the eardrum and middle ear (conductive), as well as the auditory nerve (sensorineural).
- Genetic factors: Some individuals are born with structural issues in the ear (conductive) that are later worsened by environmental factors like noise exposure (sensorineural).
Understanding mixed hearing loss causes and getting the right professional diagnosis and care are vital, as treatment will depend on which parts of the ear need the most attention.
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Mixed Hearing Loss Symptoms
Because it is a combination of two types, mixed hearing loss symptoms can often feel a bit more complex than other forms of hearing loss.
You might notice some or all of these symptoms:
- Muffled and distorted sound: Softer sounds may be hard to hear. But even when the volume is louder, sounds are muffled or distorted rather than clear.
- Difficulty in crowds: You might struggle to follow a conversation at a busy restaurant or in a noisy room.
- A "plugged" feeling: Your ears may have pressure, feel full, or blocked.
- Tinnitus: You may experience a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears.
- Strained communication: You find yourself asking people to repeat themselves more often, even in quiet environments.
What Does Mixed Hearing Loss Look Like on an Audiogram?
Your hearing specialist will conduct a hearing test and produce your audiogram: a graph that shows the softest sounds you can hear at different frequencies.
A mixed hearing loss audiogram shows two lines:
- Air conduction: This shows how well you hear sound through the air (using headphones).
- Bone conduction: This shows how well your inner ear hears sound when vibrations are sent through the bone behind your ear.
In mixed cases, both lines will show decreased hearing ability. There will be an “air-bone gap” - a space between the lines - which indicates both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
Mixed Hearing Loss Treatment Options
Don’t wait for the silence.
Is Mixed Hearing Loss Permanent?
Mixed hearing loss is "partially” permanent. Here’s why:
- The sensorineural portion is permanent, as there is damage to the delicate hair cells in the cochlea or the auditory nerve. Neither have the ability to regenerate.
- The conductive portion is often temporary and treatable through often minor medical intervention.
Remember, that even if part of your hearing loss is permanent, it’s usually not "untreatable." With modern technology and professional care, you can lead a life filled with clear sound.
When Should You See a Hearing Specialist?
If you notice any change in your hearing, you should act sooner rather than later. Earlier care can mean more treatment options and better long-term outcomes.
You should book a hearing exam and screening if you experience:
- Difficulty understanding speech in quiet spaces and noisy environments, in person or on the phone.
- A sudden change in hearing in one or both ears.
- Ongoing pain, pressure, or a "full" feeling in your ears.
- The feeling that everyone is "mumbling."
Mixed hearing loss is complex, but the solution doesn't have to be. Book your no-cost screening today at a My Hearing Centers location near you and let our specialists help you find the perfect fit.