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Causes of hearing loss
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Noise Damage

Perhaps the most common cause of chronic hearing loss is damage to the ears due to overly loud noise. Sounds above an 85 dB threshold can cause slow, permanent degradation in your ability to hear.

Infection

Your ears can be prone to both primary and secondary infections. Severe or chronic ear infections can cause damage to your hearing ability, in some cases resulting in hearing loss.

Physical Obstruction

Hearing relies on the passage of air vibrations through your outer ear to your middle ear and ear canal. If something obstructs your ear at any point along that pathway, hearing impairment can result. Hearing can usually be restored if the obstructions are removed.

Congenital Issues

Birth defects or congenital issues are the most common causes of hearing loss in younger people, including infants and children. That said, some issues may not develop into a noticeable problem until later in life.

Age

In some cases, the primary cause of hearing loss might be age. However, it’s quite difficult to differentiate between age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss. In many cases, there is no functional difference.

Trauma

There are various types of trauma that can cause hearing loss. In some cases that could be trauma to the ears. In other cases, traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause short term or long term hearing loss.

Types of hearing loss

Hearing loss is divided into three categories.

Conductive Hearing Loss

This type of hearing loss occurs when sound cannot be effectively conducted through the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear (including the eardrum and the small bones in the middle ear. In many cases, conductive hearing loss can be treated with medical or surgical interventions. For example, antibiotics or draining fluid for ear infections, or surgery to repair the eardrum or middle ear bones.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve pathways that send sound signals to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss is usually permanent. Treatment options may include hearing aids or cochlear implants (for severe cases) to help amplify sounds, though the underlying hearing loss cannot be reversed.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. It occurs when there is damage to both the outer/middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve. Treatment for mixed hearing loss depends on the specific causes. Conductive hearing loss may be treated medically or surgically, while sensorineural hearing loss may require hearing aids or other assistive devices.

Each type of hearing loss has different causes and treatments, so it’s important for individuals experiencing hearing issues to seek professional evaluation to determine the specific nature of their hearing loss and the best course of action.

Hearing loss Symptoms That Often Go Unnoticed

Words sound indistinct as if they are muffled
You’ve withdrawn from social settings
It’s harder to hear in crowds or when there is background noise
You’re tired all the time, and you’ve ruled out all the usual reasons
You find yourself turning up the volume
You tune out colleagues more often
You’re avoiding the theater or movies because you can’t hear the softer dialogue
You’re struggling with basic cognitive functions like memory

Symptoms of hearing loss
in young children

Delayed Speech Development
Limited response to name
Lack of interest in listening to music or watching tv
Difficulty following simple instructions
Abnormal speech
Ear pulling
Academic difficulties
Behavioral difficulties
Difficulty localizing sounds

Do you think your hearing is affected? Get your hearing tested.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any hearing loss symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help from an audiologist or healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can often improve the outcomes for those experiencing hearing loss.