The following has been taken from Oticon, Inc.'s Workbook for Parents of Children who are Newly Identified as Hard of Hearing by Melanie Sisson, Au.D.:
Mixed Hearing Loss
A mixed hearing loss involves a blend of the first two types of hearing loss described, conductive and sensorineural. Keep in mind that conductive hearing losses can be short term (e.g. blockage from ear wax). Therefore, if your child has a sensorineural hearing loss s/he may, at times, show further decrease in hearing due to an additional short-term conductive hearing loss. Also remember that ear infection or fluid in the ear is very common in children under the age of six. Thus, the hearing loss can increase and decrease based on the health of the outer and middle ear. It is important to monitor middle ear fluid and ear infections closely, especially if your child has a sensorineural hearing loss. Middle ear fluid or infections can make the issues involved with sensorineural hearing loss worse by decreasing hearing further.
Mixed Hearing Loss
A mixed hearing loss involves a blend of the first two types of hearing loss described, conductive and sensorineural. Keep in mind that conductive hearing losses can be short term (e.g. blockage from ear wax). Therefore, if your child has a sensorineural hearing loss s/he may, at times, show further decrease in hearing due to an additional short-term conductive hearing loss. Also remember that ear infection or fluid in the ear is very common in children under the age of six. Thus, the hearing loss can increase and decrease based on the health of the outer and middle ear. It is important to monitor middle ear fluid and ear infections closely, especially if your child has a sensorineural hearing loss. Middle ear fluid or infections can make the issues involved with sensorineural hearing loss worse by decreasing hearing further.
