What is Mixed Hearing Loss?

Mixed hearing loss is a type of hearing disorder that has both conductive and sensorineural components if sound is diminished as it travels to the inner ear, it is a mixed hearing loss if there is also some impact to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The condition can be either temporary or permanent, based on the causative factors.

Mixed hearing loss can be present in one ear or both ears and the loss can be described as mild mixed hearing loss, moderate mixed hearing los, or as bilateral mixed hearing loss, if both ears are affected.

Mixed Hearing Loss Symptoms

Struggling to Hear? 6 Symptoms of Mixed Hearing Loss Explained.

Difficulty Hearing in Noisy Environments

Struggling to understand conversations in crowded or loud places.

Muffled or Distorted Sounds

Sounds may seem unclear or “underwater,” making speech hard to decipher.

Frequent Need to Increase Volume

Constantly turning up the TV, radio, or phone volume higher than usual.

Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)

Persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming in one or both ears.

Balance Problems or Dizziness

Feeling unsteady or experiencing mild vertigo due to inner ear involvement.

Difficulty Understanding High-Pitched Sounds

Trouble hearing children’s voices, birdsong, or certain consonants in speech.

Audiogram and Diagnosis of Mixed Hearing Loss

An audiogram is a key tool for assessing mixed hearing loss, helping to determine how well a person perceives different tones and frequencies. The presence of an air-bone gap indicates a conductive issue in the middle ear, while reduced bone conduction points to damage in the inner ear or auditory nerve. Audiograms also help classify hearing loss as mild, moderate, or bilateral, providing audiologists with the necessary information to create an effective, personalized treatment plan.

Mild vs. Moderate Mixed Hearing Loss

Mild Mixed Hearing Loss: Individuals may struggle to hear soft or distant sounds, particularly in noisy environments.

Moderate Mixed Hearing Loss: People face significant difficulty in everyday conversations, often requiring both medical intervention and hearing devices for improvement.

Early diagnosis and intervention can greatly enhance hearing performance and overall quality of life.

Treatment Options for Mixed Hearing Loss

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the hearing loss and typically involves a combination of medical care and hearing technology:

Medical Treatment: Addressing infections, clearing blockages, or treating middle ear conditions can improve the conductive component of hearing loss.

Hearing Devices: Digital hearing aids or cochlear implants may be recommended to manage the sensorineural portion, restoring better hearing function.

At Kavya Speech & Hearing Clinic, we specialize in accurate diagnostics and individualized treatment plans, ensuring each patient receives care tailored to their unique mixed hearing loss.

What Leads to Mixed Hearing Loss?

  • Chronic Ear Infections:

    Repeated middle ear infections can damage the eardrum and middle ear bones, affecting both air and bone conduction.

  • Otosclerosis:

    Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear prevents proper vibration of the ossicles, leading to mixed hearing loss.

  • Trauma or Injury:

    Head injuries or sudden trauma to the ear can damage both the middle and inner ear structures.

  • Cholesteatoma:

    An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear can erode bones and affect hearing.

  • Earwax Blockage (Impacted Cerumen):

    Severe buildup can cause a conductive problem while underlying inner ear damage may already exist.

  • Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis):

    Natural degeneration of inner ear structures combined with other ear conditions can lead to mixed hearing loss.

A Journey to Better Hearing

We believe every sound makes life richer, and your hearing health is important in experiencing it all. Our comprehensive hearing assessment is designed to give you important insight into your hearing health and help you stay connected to the sounds around you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Mixed hearing loss occurs when both conductive and sensorineural components are present. This means
sound is partially blocked in the outer or middle ear and there is damage to the inner ear or auditory
nerve. It can affect one or both ears and may be temporary or permanent.

Common signs include:
● Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
● Muffled or distorted sounds
● Frequently increasing the volume of TVs or phones
● Persistent tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
● Balance issues or dizziness
● Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds like children’s voices or birdsong

An audiogram measures how well you perceive different tones and frequencies. An air-bone gap
indicates a conductive issue, while reduced bone conduction shows inner ear or auditory nerve damage.
Audiograms help audiologists classify the hearing loss as mild, moderate, or bilateral and create a
personalized treatment plan.

Common causes include:
● Chronic or repeated middle ear infections
● Blockages in the ear (e.g., earwax)
● Damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve due to aging, noise exposure, or other health
conditions

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and usually combines:
● Medical intervention: Treating infections, removing blockages, or addressing middle ear
conditions
● Hearing devices: Digital hearing aids or cochlear implants to manage the sensorineural
component and restore better hearing

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Kavya Speech & Hearing Clinic is a leading hearing aid provider in India. We offer top-quality ear machines of top brands and also offer exemplary services all over India.

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