Mixed hearing loss means you have two separate problems happening in your ears at the same time. One problem blocks sound from getting through your ear properly, while the other damages how your ear processes whatever sound does make it through.
At our Brooklyn, New York, office, Stephen D. Kushnick, MD, tests for both types of hearing problems so we can treat everything that’s affecting your hearing.
Conductive hearing loss blocks sound from traveling through your outer or middle ear properly. Sensorineural hearing loss damages the inner ear cells that convert sound into nerve signals that your brain can understand.
When both conditions occur together, sound has trouble reaching your inner ear — and whatever does get through is processed poorly by damaged inner ear structures.
This explains why mixed hearing loss often feels more severe than either type alone. Sound faces multiple barriers, making even amplified sounds unclear.
Mixed hearing loss typically builds up over years as different ear structures develop separate problems:
Dr. Kushnick frequently sees patients with long histories of ear problems. Each infection, injury, or exposure adds damage until both conductive and sensorineural components appear.
Regular hearing tests show you the combined effect of both problems, but that doesn’t tell us how to fix them. We need to know how much each type contributes to your hearing difficulties.
Dr. Kushnick uses bone conduction testing to check your inner ear directly. This test bypasses your outer and middle ear completely by sending sound vibrations through the bone behind your ear. It shows us exactly how well your inner ear works when we eliminate the conductive problems.
Comparing these results with regular hearing test results tells us how much each type of hearing loss affects you.
Each part of mixed hearing loss needs its own treatment approach. The blocked sound pathway might need surgery or medication, while the inner ear damage typically requires hearing aids or other technology.
Surgical options focus on removing whatever blocks sound from reaching your inner ear. Success depends on how much the inner ear damage limits improvement. Dr. Kushnick explains what you can realistically expect based on your test results before recommending surgery.
Modern hearing aids can work around both types of hearing loss, but they need precise programming. The device has to amplify sound enough to overcome the blockage without making things uncomfortably loud for your damaged inner ear.
Dr. Kushnick coordinates with audiologists to make sure your hearing aids address your specific combination of problems. This prevents the frustrating situation where hearing aids make everything louder, but not clearer.
Many mixed hearing loss patients expect dramatic improvement from treatment, but results depend on which part of the problem responds better. Fixing the conductive component might bring back some hearing, but the sensorineural damage sets limits on how much improvement is possible.
Understanding these limits beforehand helps you appreciate meaningful improvements instead of feeling disappointed when your hearing isn’t perfect. Dr. Kushnick explains exactly what each treatment can — and can’t — do for your particular situation.
Mixed hearing loss requires comprehensive testing to identify all contributing factors and develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses each component of your hearing difficulties. Dr. Kushnick’s detailed approach ensures that no aspect gets overlooked.
Call our Brooklyn, New York, office at 718-509-6120 today, or use our online booking tool to schedule a hearing evaluation at your convenience.
