International Licensing Examination (ILE) Practice Test

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of which types of hearing loss?

1. Conductive and central

2. Sensorineural and functional

3. Conductive and sensorineural

4. Central and functional

The correct answer is: Conductive and sensorineural

Mixed hearing loss refers specifically to a combination of two types of hearing loss: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing loss involves problems in the outer or middle ear that prevent sound from being conducted effectively to the inner ear. This can be caused by factors such as ear infections, fluid in the middle ear, or earwax blockage. Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, arises from issues in the inner ear or the auditory nerve pathways leading to the brain. This type can result from damage to the hair cells in the cochlea or problems with the auditory nerve itself, often caused by aging, exposure to loud noise, or certain medical conditions. When both types coexist, it indicates that there is both a mechanical issue affecting sound transmission and a neurological issue affecting sound processing. Therefore, mixed hearing loss encompasses elements from both the conductive and sensorineural categories, making it a complex condition that can require different approaches for assessment and treatment. The other listed combinations do not accurately represent mixed hearing loss. For instance, central refers to issues at the brain level rather than the ear, and functional hearing loss pertains to a psychological basis rather than a physical one.