Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can emerge from an obstruction or blockage in the ear, an infection, or damage in any of the three regions of the ear. Hearing loss resulting from a problem in the outer or middle ear is called a conductive hearing loss. The most common hearing loss is called sensorineural and is caused by damage along the inner ear. Mixed hearing loss occurs if a combination of both conductive and senorineural loss exists.

Possible causes of hearing loss:

Outer Ear

Typical problems in the outer ear include excessive build-up of earwax and/or infection of the auditory canal.

Middle Ear

The most common causes in the middle ear consist of ruptures in the eardrum, infection, and otosclerosis, which causes limited mobility of the stapes due to calcification.

Inner Ear

In the inner ear, most hearing problems arise due to damaged structures. The natural aging process, excessive exposure to noise, taking medication that can harm the auditory system and head injuries comprise the majority of causes. In such cases, the tiny hair cells in the cochlea, called stereocilia, are damaged, impairing the flow of sound signals from reaching the brain.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing or high-pitched buzzing in the head. It may occur in association with hearing loss and can be either infrequent or continuous. The causes of tinnitus are as diverse as those of hearing loss and may not be distinct in an individual case.

Common Factors that affect hearing

The most common factor negatively impacting one’s hearing is noise. Listening to loud music, going to a movie theater, driving with your windows down, a noisy restaurant, a rock concert and just experiencing elevated levels of noise on a consistent basis can be very damaging and traumatic to your ears. Overtime this damage becomes irreversible and results in significant hearing loss.

Age is another common factor affecting individuals with hearing loss. As we age, hearing loss is inevitable due to decreased function of neurons in the auditory system and decreases in hearing sensitivity.