Which type of hearing loss can result from a combination of both sensorineural and conductive factors?

Mixed hearing loss is characterized by the presence of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss components. Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, affecting the transmission of sound signals to the brain, while conductive hearing loss is caused by issues in the outer or middle ear that block sound from reaching the inner ear. When both mechanisms are present, they lead to a combined effect that can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of hearing issues.

In a patient with mixed hearing loss, the sound may not be efficiently conducted through the outer or middle ear, and there may also be damage present in the inner ear or auditory pathways, which impacts how sound is processed. This nuanced understanding allows for more tailored interventions, such as combining hearing aids with medical or surgical treatments to address specific components of the hearing loss.

The other types of hearing loss mentioned, such as auditory fatigue, transient threshold loss, and permanent threshold loss, do not capture the dual nature of mixed hearing loss, as they either refer to temporary changes in hearing or loss due to a single factor, not a combination of conductive and sensorineural issues. Thus, mixed hearing loss is the correct classification when both types of hearing loss are present.