What Is Mixed Hearing Loss?

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing problems. This can make speech harder to understand and everyday sounds feel muffled or distant. If you’re noticing changes in your hearing, HearUSA can help you get a clear screening and the right next steps.

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Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of two types of hearing problems: conductive hearing loss, which affects the outer or middle ear, and sensorineural hearing loss, which affects the inner ear or auditory nerve. When both occur together, sound has difficulty traveling through the ear and also becomes harder for the brain to interpret.

People with mixed hearing loss may struggle to hear soft sounds, understand speech, or follow conversations in noisy environments. Because more than one part of the ear is affected, symptoms can vary widely, and often become progressively noticeable over time.

Mixed Hearing Loss Audiogram

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Mixed Hearing Loss Causes

What Causes Mixed Hearing Loss?

The causes of mixed hearing loss come from both conductive and sensorineural factors. Common causes of mixed hearing loss include:

Conductive Component Causes

Ear infections or chronic middle-ear disease
Earwax buildup
Fluid behind the eardrum
Damage to the eardrum or middle-ear bones
Benign growths, cysts, or foreign objects in the ear

Sensorineural Component Causes

Age-related hearing loss
Long-term noise exposure
Inner-ear damage from illness or medications
Genetic conditions
Head or ear trauma

Mixed Hearing Loss Symptoms

Mixed hearing loss symptoms often overlap with both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, and may include:

Difficulty hearing soft sounds or voices
Needing the TV or phone volume much louder than usual
Trouble hearing speech clearly, especially in background noise
Muffled or distorted sound quality
A feeling of pressure, fullness, or blockage in the ear
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
Occasional ear pain or drainage, depending on the cause

How to Prevent Mixed Hearing Loss

Protecting your hearing starts with healthy habits and early intervention. Mixed hearing loss can significantly affect how you hear and understand speech, so it’s important to know the causes and take proactive steps to prevent further damage. Limit exposure to loud noises, use ear protection when needed, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and schedule regular hearing screenings to catch changes early.

If mixed hearing loss is detected, treatment often involves addressing the conductive component medically or surgically, while the sensorineural portion is commonly managed with advanced hearing aids. Consistent hearing checks ensure you get the right care at the right time.

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Mixed Hearing Loss: FAQ

Is mixed hearing loss permanent?

How common is mixed hearing loss?

What does a mixed hearing loss audiogram look like?

Do hearing aids help with mixed hearing loss?

Next steps to better hearing

How to treat your hearing loss

Hearing health is one of the building blocks of a happy life. If you can understand how your hearing works and what you can do to protect it, you won't just be doing your ears a favor, you'll be boosting your overall health and well-being, too.

How to help a loved one with hearing loss

If you notice your loved one spending more time alone or avoiding new, shared experiences with others, then it’s time to consult your audiologist. The good news? Help is available.

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