What causes hearing loss?
Hearing loss can have many causes. The most common hearing loss is the deterioration of the hair cells in the cochlea. The damage to the hair cells is most often caused by (but not the only causes) the natural aging process and/or noise exposure, whether occupational or recreational. There can also be temporary hearing loss due to impacted wax or middle ear fluid which can both be corrected with proper medical care.
There are many possible causes of hearing loss including aging, genetics, noise, trauma to the head, infection, Meniere’s disease, tumors, otosclerosis, congenital disorders, and physical blockage. If you think you have a hearing loss, you should see an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor. 28 million Americans – 1 out of every 10 people – have a hearing loss. You are not alone! The doctor will advise you on whether or not you should consider hearing aids and refer you to an audiologist.
A number of conditions can cause a disruption in the hearing process and lead to hearing loss. The two most common types of hearing loss are conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing losses occur when the outer or middle ear is unable to properly conduct sound and pressure waves to the inner ear. These losses are common in children with ear infections and in anyone with blockage caused by earwax, bacterial infection, allergies, trauma to the ear, congenital malformations or calcium growths. Such hearing losses are usually temporary and can often be successfully treated by medical or surgical procedures. Sensorineural hearing losses are a result of nerve damage to the hair cells, or nerve fibers, in the inner ear. Causes can be genetic or congenital, or they can stem from an illness, disease, chemicals or medications. The most common causes, however, are attributed to aging and prolonged exposure to noise. Such hearing losses are usually permanent and typically treated with heari
