If you’re experiencing symptoms of hearing loss when chatting with friends at All Set Restaurant & Bar, it’s important to get treated right away. Left untreated, hearing loss is associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety, falls and even dementia. Even so, the average person waits 10 years before seeking treatment for their hearing loss.
Some types of hearing loss are more complex to treat – particularly mixed hearing loss. However, a visit with an audiologist can still provide relief and better hearing. We review everything you need to know about mixed hearing loss below.
What Is Mixed Hearing Loss?
There are three types of hearing loss: sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss and mixed hearing loss. It’s important to understand both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss in order to understand mixed hearing loss.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss is hearing loss caused by nerve damage.
Within the inner ear is the cochlea, which is lined with tiny hair cells called stereocilia. The stereocilia’s job is to convert soundwaves into electrical energy that travels via the auditory nerve to the brain to be interpreted as sound. When the stereocilia become damaged – usually due to exposure to loud noises, restricted blood flow or certain medications – permanent sensorineural hearing loss is the result.
Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by an obstruction in the outer or middle ear that prevents sounds from passing through.
Possible causes of conductive hearing loss include:
- Impacted earwax
- Middle ear infection
- Ruptured eardrum
- Benign tumor
- Foreign object in the ear canal
- Swimmer’s ear
- Congenital deformity
Mixed Hearing Loss
Mixed hearing loss refers to a combination of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss; in other words, both types of hearing loss are present.
How Is Mixed Hearing Loss Treated?
Mixed hearing loss is usually treated with a combination of interventions. Both the sensorineural loss and the conductive loss need to be addressed.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
The gold standard of treatment for sensorineural hearing loss is hearing aids. Hearing aids work by amplifying sounds to a level the wearer can detect, and they’re effective for people with mild to severe hearing loss. There are many styles of hearing aids available. An audiologist can recommend a hearing aid for you based on your hearing needs, aesthetic preference, budget and lifestyle.
If you have severe to profound hearing loss that isn’t effectively treated with hearing aids, cochlear implants may be recommended. Cochlear implants work by bypassing the damaged part of the ear and directly stimulating the auditory nerve.
Conductive Hearing Loss
To address the conductive hearing loss, whatever the underlying cause is needs to be treated. For example:
- Impacted earwax may be removed by an audiologist.
- Middle ear infections can be treated with antibiotics and, in some cases, ear tubes.
- Ruptured eardrums are treated with a patch.
- Benign tumors can be removed surgically.
- Foreign objects in the ear canal can be removed.
- Swimmer’s ear can be treated with antibiotics.
- Congenital deformities can be corrected with surgery.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Hearing Center Silver Spring today.