Some webpages include both text links and image links that have exactly the same purpose and go to exactly the same destination. This unnecessary duplication can be confusing, particularly to users of assistive technologies, such as screen readers. Whilst the text link and image link may be associated visually, assistive technologies will interpret them as two separate links, which can be confusing.
Combine the text and image together in one link, and provide null alternative text on the image to eliminate duplication of text.
//A combination of text and image links
<a href="http://www.news.com"><img src="graphic_icon" alt=""/>News headlines</a>