THE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF MIXED HEARING LOSS

 

Being a prevalent hearing condition, mixed hearing loss is often misunderstood, including the nature of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, which poses a unique challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what the best audiologists in Saltlake have to say about the symptoms and treatment of mixed hearing loss.

What is mixed hearing loss?

A combination of conductive and sensorineural impairments causes mixed hearing loss. It mainly impacts the outer or middle ear, hindering sound wave transmission due to pathological obstructions or earwax buildup. Sensorineural loss occurs within the inner ear, where sound reaches the cochlea but is impeded by damaged hair cells or nerve pathways.

Symptoms of Mixed hearing loss

There are multiple symptoms you might face if you have mixed hearing loss:

• Varied Hearing Challenges: People with mixed hearing loss often face difficulty hearing faint sounds, causing inconsistent speech understanding, especially in noisy environments.
• Distorted Sound Perception: Sounds may seem muffled or unclear, causing difficulty distinguishing between sounds or voices.
• Fluctuating Hearing Abilities: Hearing abilities may vary depending on factors like ear infections or changes in inner ear function.
• Balance Issues: Few may experience dizziness or balance problems due to inner ear involvement.

Treatment of Mixed hearing loss

Audiologists who provide the best hearing loss treatment in Saltlake suggest addressing conductive hearing loss first, identifying its cause and applying suitable treatments, such as antibiotics for infections or surgical procedures for obstructions. While certain cases of sensorineural hearing loss are treatable, often through viral infection management with steroids, most are irreversible. In these instances, hearing aids are effective solution for improving your hearing loss.

No matter the degree or type of hearing impairment, it’s essential to seek assistance promptly, especially from the best audiologists in Saltlake. Mixed hearing loss, in particular, presents challenges in diagnosis but early consultation with an audiologist can significantly improve your auditory health.