It’s important to treat hearing loss as soon as you start to notice symptoms, as left untreated it is associated with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, falls and even dementia. While some forms of hearing loss, like mixed hearing loss, can be complex to treat, an audiologist can help recommend the best solutions for your needs.
What Is Mixed Hearing Loss?
Mixed hearing loss is a type of hearing loss characterized by both sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss being present.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by nerve damage. Within the inner ears is the stereocilia, which are tiny hair cells that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. When the stereocilia become damaged, usually due to exposure to loud noises, ototoxic medications or restricted blood flow, permanent sensorineural hearing loss is the result.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by a physical blockage in the outer or middle ear. Possible causes include:
- Impacted earwax
- Middle ear infection
- Ruptured eardrum
- Benign tumor
- Foreign object in the ear canal
- Swimmer’s ear
- Congenital deformity
How Is Mixed Hearing Loss Treated?
A combination of treatments is usually required to address mixed hearing loss. The sensorineural hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids in most cases, or cochlear implants in severe cases. The conductive hearing loss can be addressed by treating the underlying condition.
What Are the Symptoms of Mixed Hearing Loss?
Ask yourself the following questions to uncover whether you might have mixed hearing loss:
- Do you have trouble hearing over the phone?
- Do you hear better in one ear than the other?
- Do you have trouble following conversations in background noise like State of Grace?
- Do you strain to understand what people are saying?
- Do you frequently ask people to repeat what they said?
- Do people complain you turn up the TV too loud?
- Do people seem to mumble all the time?
- Do you experience dizziness or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, contact an audiologist to schedule a hearing exam.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Today’s Hearing today.