What does a "mixed hearing loss" indicate?

Mixed hearing loss indicates a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. This means that there are issues in both the outer or middle ear, contributing to conductive hearing loss, as well as problems in the inner ear or auditory nerve that result in sensorineural hearing loss.

In practice, this can manifest as an individual experiencing the attenuating effects of conductive hearing loss, where sound does not effectively travel through the outer or middle ear, combined with the more complex effects of sensorineural loss, where there is damage to the cochlea or auditory pathways. Each component affects the individual's overall hearing ability and can complicate diagnosis and treatment.

Understanding mixed hearing loss is vital for audiologists as it informs the approach to intervention. Treatment may involve amplifying sound to address conductive components while also managing the characteristics of sensorineural loss, which may involve the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices tailored to the individual's hearing profile.