Types of hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss
What causes it
Causes of mixed hearing loss can be age-related hearing loss or excessive noise exposure, combined with a history of ear infections in childhood or adulthood, or a perforated eardrum.
Alternatively it can be related to exostosis, head trauma, ear canal atresia, or excessive ear wax.
Mixed hearing loss may be treatable through surgical intervention. However, in many cases hearing aid use and assistive listening devices are the only treatment options.
At a glance
Is it permanent?
Partly reversible in some cases, depending on the conductive component.
Treatment options
- Hearing aids
- Assistive listening devices
- Surgical intervention in some cases
The first step is always the same
Other types of hearing loss
Hearing loss is rarely just one thing. These are the other types we see and treat.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Permanent. Not treatable through surgical intervention.
Conductive hearing loss
Sometimes reversible. Surgical intervention may partially or fully restore hearing in some cases.
Noise-induced hearing loss
Permanent, but largely preventable through hearing protection.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Usually permanent. Outcomes depend heavily on how quickly treatment starts.
Find out exactly what is going on with your hearing
A free hearing checkup includes a hearing test and a plain-English explanation of the result. No cost, no obligation.