• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

HearingResearch.org

Latest hearing research

Home » Uncategorized » Seven Common Causes of Hearing Loss¬†

Seven Common Causes of Hearing Loss 

November 23, 2022 by Mark Ross

More than 15 percent of adults over 18 have some type of hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Normal hearing is hearing sounds that fall between 20 and 20,000 Hz.

A person develops a hearing impairment when a portion of this hearing is lost. 

While being hard of hearing and experiencing a profound hearing loss (the type of severe hearing loss that renders you unable to use one or both of your ears for hearing) are different, they have similar underlying causes. 

Together, we’ll explore how hearing works, how it is lost, and what types of hearing devices and auxiliary communication tools are available to help a person with hearing impairment live a full and enjoyable life.

Table of Contents

  • How Do We Hear?
  • The Process of Hearing
  • What Are the Types of Hearing Loss?
    • Sensorineural Hearing Loss
    • Conductive Hearing Loss
    • Mixed Hearing Loss
  • Seven Common Causes of Hearing Loss
  • 1. Loud Noise
  • 2. Presbycusis
  • 3. Otosclerosis
  • 4. Diseases and Infections
  • 5. Tumors
  • 6. Buildup of Earwax
  • 7. Medications
    • Diagnosing Hearing Loss
  • Treating Hearing Loss
    • Hearing Aids
    • Cochlear Implants
    • Sign Language/Lip Reading
    • Prevention
  • Healthy Hearing
    • References, Studies and Sources:

How Do We Hear?

The ear has three different parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. 

  • Outer Ear. The outer ear consists of the portion we can see, called the pinna. It also includes the ear canal.
  • Middle Ear. The middle ear includes the eardrum and ossicles. The ossicles are three tiny bones located in the middle ear. Individually known as the malleus, incus, and stapes, they are the smallest bones in the entire body. 
  • Inner Ear. The inner ear includes the spiral-shaped cochlea, the semicircular canals, and the vestibular and auditory nerves. The cochlea contains tiny hairs and the basilar membrane that divides it into two parts. The hair cells sit on top of this membrane. 

These structures work together with the brain to transform sound waves into the voices, musical notes, and noises we hear. 

The Process of Hearing

The visible part of the ear, the pinna, is designed to collect sound waves in your environment.

These sound waves then travel down the ear canal to the eardrum, where they cause the eardrum to vibrate and move. 

The vibrations of the eardrum transfer to the bones in the ear, amplifying the vibrations and causing the fluid inside the cochlea to move.

In response, the tiny hairs also begin to move and interact with neurons that transform the sound waves into electrical signals. 

These signals travel through the semicircular canals to the auditory nerve.

The auditory nerve delivers the electrical signals to your brain, which interprets the signals as sound. 

All of this happens in literal nanoseconds, but hearing problems occur when a portion of the system is broken or damaged. 

What Are the Types of Hearing Loss?

There are several different types of hearing loss and varying degrees of hearing loss.

Someone with permanent hearing loss, for instance, has hearing loss that they will not recover from. 

Someone with a partial or unilateral hearing loss may only experience loss of high-frequency sound or only experience a hearing impairment in one ear. 

The types of hearing loss differ by the part of the ear that is affected.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This hearing loss occurs when structures inside the inner ear become damaged.

Most frequently, the tiny hair cells atop the basilar membrane are damaged or destroyed. We are born with a limited amount of these hairs that do not regenerate. When they are damaged, a portion of our hearing is damaged, too. 

Sudden hearing loss, a type of hearing loss that involves the permanent or temporary loss of hearing in one or both ears, is sensorineural hearing loss. 

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing loss that affects the outer and middle ear structures is called conductive hearing loss.

Often, conductive hearing loss occurs due to injuries, trauma, or genetic abnormalities. Sometimes, surgical repair is needed to correct and restore hearing. 

Conductive hearing loss may also be temporary due to a blockage in the ear canal. 

Mixed Hearing Loss

As the name suggests, mixed hearing loss involves damage to structures in both the inner and outer or middle ear.

You’ll need an audiologist to help diagnose whether or not you have a hearing loss that involves these different areas of the ear. 

Seven Common Causes of Hearing Loss

There are many reasons why someone might lose hearing.

Starkey Hearing

From exposure to loud noise to head or neck trauma, many events impact your ability to hear. 

1. Loud Noise

The most common cause of hearing loss is a loud noise, also called noise-induced hearing loss.

Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause progressive hearing damage over time, and exposure to sudden, impulse noises can also impair your hearing. 

Working in a noisy environment like a woodshop, or frequently listening to loud music, can damage the tiny hairs in the inner ear.

Most hearing specialists agree that loud sounds over 70 decibels can cause damage to your cochlea. 

2. Presbycusis

Some hearing loss is natural as you get older. Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is caused by a breakdown of the structures inside the inner ear. 

There’s no cure for presbycusis, but there are treatment options available that can help you continue hearing like you did when you were younger. 

Additionally, protecting your hearing while you are young is important to ensure you don’t lose your hearing sooner than you should.

Generally, presbycusis is most common in adults over the age of 65. 

3. Otosclerosis

More common in children under 18 who suffer from hearing loss, otosclerosis is an overgrowth of the bones in the middle ear.

The stapes, one of the three bones, begins to grow and fuse with the surrounding bones. 

When this happens, the bones become fixed and unable to move.

When they cannot move, they cannot transmit sound waves, making it hard for sound waves to transfer to the cochlea. 

Otosclerosis may not cause total deafness. Normally, it causes progressive hearing loss and worsens over time.

4. Diseases and Infections

Although rare in terms of their ability to permanently damage hearing, some diseases and illnesses can cause hearing impairment.

Recurrent, severe ear infections and viruses like mumps and meningitis can have ototoxic effects that cause hearing loss.

Although mumps is rare because of vaccine usage, it is still considered a leading cause of unilateral deafness in children.

Likewise, meningitis may also attack the structures of the inner ear and cause permanent or temporary deafness. 

Certain diseases, like Ménière's Disease, a disorder of the inner ear, can also lead to hearing loss and other symptoms like vertigo and dizziness. 

5. Tumors

Tumors or growths that can lead to hearing loss are usually benign and can be surgically removed to restore hearing.

Acoustic neuromas, a type of tumor growing on the vestibular nerve in the inner ear, can cause hearing loss and balance issues. 

6. Buildup of Earwax

Earwax helps protect the ear from anything that could enter it and cause harm.

The body produces earwax and moves old earwax out through jaw movement. However, sometimes, earwax isn’t removed properly by the body, leaving a buildup that can make it difficult for you to hear. 

Your healthcare provider can remedy this temporary hearing loss — they can use specialized tools to safely and effectively remove the earwax from the ear canal. 

7. Medications

Medications with ototoxic effects can cause hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

However, the loss is generally temporary and comes back once the medication is no longer in use. These medications include diuretics, blood pressure medications, and certain over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Diagnosing Hearing Loss

If you suspect hearing loss, your healthcare provider can refer you to an audiologist, who will administer a hearing test.

This test can determine the level of hearing loss you are experiencing and also help you understand your type of hearing loss. 

If a hearing test, called an audiogram, isn’t able to pinpoint a loss, but you still have trouble hearing, your doctor may use other testing methods.

Some of these include measuring how well you can hear a conversation with background noise or answering a questionnaire about your hearing and communication habits. 

Treating Hearing Loss

Once you understand the type and degree of hearing loss you have, you can take action to correct your loss and hear more clearly.

New advances in the types of hearing aids available and surgical techniques mean that almost any type of hearing impairment can be corrected. 

Hearing Aids

Digital hearing aids amplify sound through a microphone and deliver the sound waves to the cochlea.

These hearing aids can often automatically adjust sounds so that no manual adjustment is needed. 

Hearing aids are normally very small, barely noticeable, and comfortable to wear.

Cochlear Implants

For severe hearing loss, cochlear implants may be an option.

These implants are surgically placed and bypass the damaged part of the inner ear to deliver electrical signals directly to the auditory nerve. The nerve then sends the signal to the brain so the wearer can hear sound. 

Sign Language/Lip Reading

This auxiliary communication is a great help for people who experience complete or partial deafness.

Lip reading can make it easier for someone who cannot hear high-frequency consonants (like F, S, and H) to communicate by focusing on the mouth movements that produce these sounds. 

Sign language can help two people communicate fully without using any sound. 

Prevention

No treatment plan for hearing loss is complete without prevention.

Taking care of your current level of hearing is vital. Making sure your loud noise exposure is limited and wearing earplugs in noisy environments can help you retain your hearing longer. 

Healthy Hearing

There are many different ways you can lose your hearing and many different types of hearing loss.

Although it can be life-altering to lose your hearing, there are treatment options available that can help you live a full and happy life and continue communicating well with others. 

For more information, check out the USA Rx blog.

You’ll find articles about hearing loss, prevention, and treatment options that might work for you. 

References, Studies and Sources:

Quick Statistics About Hearing | NIDCD 

Otosclerosis | NHS 

Acoustic neuroma – Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic 

Hypertension, Diuretic Use, and Risk of Hearing Loss | PMC 

Deafness following mumps: the possible pathogenesis and incidence of deafness | PubMed 

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Trending Posts

  • The “Occlusion Effect” — What it is, and What to Do About it
  • The Connections Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
  • 5 Latest Treatments for Hearing Loss and Are They Effective?
  • 5 Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
  • 5 Types of Hearing Aids and How To Choose the One for You
  • Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): Six Treatment Options
  • Auditory Processing Disorder: When To Try Hearing Aids
  • Bilateral Hearing Loss: Types, Causes, and Treatments
  • Can a Deaf Person Hear With a Hearing Aid?
  • Can Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Cause Hearing Problems?
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing: What’s the Difference?
  • Hearing Aids for Severe Hearing Loss: What To Know
  • Hearing Aids vs. Hearing Amplifiers: What‚Äôs the Difference?
  • Hearing Loss in One Ear: Causes & Treatment Options
  • High-Frequency Hearing Loss: Causes and Treatment Options
  • How Hearing Loss Can Affect Your Balance
  • Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: What Are Your Treatment Options?
  • Seven Common Causes of Hearing Loss¬†
  • The Connections Between Mental Health & Loss of Hearing
  • Treating and Recovering From Sudden Hearing Loss: What to Know
  • What Are the Best Hearing Aid Options for Children?
  • What are the Best Hearing Aid Options for Seniors?
  • What Does Unilateral Hearing Loss Mean?
  • What Is Hidden Hearing Loss and What You Can Do About It
  • What Is Mixed Hearing Loss?
  • What Percentage of Hearing Loss Is Legally Deaf?
  • Why Am I Hearing a Crackling Noise in My Ear?
  • Can Hearing Aids Help Tinnitus?
  • Conductive Hearing Loss: Types, Causes, and Treatments
  • Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? What To Know
  • Hearing Aids for Veterans: Three Things To Make Sure of
  • How Do I Know If I’m Losing My Hearing?
  • Seven Different Hearing Loss Tests, and What They Do
  • The Best Hearing Aids for Those Dealing With Sound Loss
  • What Level of Hearing Loss Requires a Hearing Aid?
  • What To Know Before Buying Hearing Aids
  • When Do You Need a Hearing Aid? Five Signs It May Be Time
  • What Are the Best Hearing Aid Options for Young Adults?
  • 7 Common Signs of a Child With Hearing Loss
  • Are Hearing Aids Useful for Mild Hearing Loss?¬†
  • Can You Buy Hearing Aids Over-the-Counter?
  • Difference Between Sensorineural & Conductive Hearing Loss
  • Does Insurance Cover Hearing Aids?
  • Hearing Loss From Meningitis: Everything You Need To Know
  • The 4 Types of Hearing Impairment & What They Mean
  • What Is Acoustic Trauma & How Do You Know You Have It?
  • What Is Asymmetrical Hearing Loss?
  • TELECOIL AND TELEPHONES
  • Classroom Sound-Field Systems
  • Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?
  • My “Near Deaf” Experience
  • Hearing Aid Services and Satisfaction: The Consumer Viewpoint
  • The “Occlusion Effect” — What it is, and What to Do About it
  • My “Near Deaf” Experience
  • LARGE AREA ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS (ALS): REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
  • The Audiogram: Explanation and Significance
  • Feedback Cancellation Systems and Open-Ear Hearing Aid Fitting
  • Some Reflections on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Hearing Aids
  • Helpful Hints to the New Hearing Aid User
  • Environmentally Adaptive Hearing Aids
  • MULTICHANNEL AND MULTI-MICROPHONE DIRECTIONAL HEARING AIDS: Fitting Procedures and Evaluation of Current and Emergent Technology
  • Acceptable Noise Levels (ANL)
  • Dr. Mark Ross is a Principal Investigator of the RERC on Hearing Enhancement,
  • Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss Noise Reduction Hearing Aids: Why They’re Needed, and How They Work
  • Evaluating the Performance of a Hearing Aid in the Real-Ear
  • Audiogram
  • Hearing Aid Companies
  • CURRICULUM VITAE: LINDA KOZMA-SPYTEK
  • Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?
  • Developments in Tinnitus
  • TELECOIL AND TELEPHONES
  • Personal and Social Identity of Hard of Hearing People
  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids
  • Dr. Mark Ross is a Principal Investigator of the RERC on Hearing Enhancement
  • A Retrospective Look at the Future of Aural Rehabilitation
  • Home-based Auditory and Speechreading Training
  • Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss
  • Classroom Sound-Field Systems
  • Digital Hearing Aids: From the Perspective of One Consumer/Audiologist
  • Why do Hearing Aids Cost So Much?
  • Listening to Music Through a Cochlear Implant: Part 1
  • Audibility and Useful Hearing Aid Features
  • My “Near Deaf” Experience
  • Different kinds of implants: Auditory, Penetrating and Hybrid
  • Hearing Aid Services and Satisfaction: The Consumer Viewpoint
  • Are Binaural Hearing Aids Better?
  • Classroom Sound-Field Systems
  • Acoustic Feedback Control
  • The Audiogram: Explanation and Significance
  • Frequency-Lowering Hearing Aids: Increasing the Audibility of High-Frequency Speech Sounds
  • Hearing Aid Services and Satisfaction: The Consumer Viewpoint
  • Acceptable Noise Levels (ANL)
  • Hearing Aid Troubleshooting
  • The “Stigma” of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids
  • Mark Ross
  • STI PROGRAM INFORMATION
  • The Audiogram: Explanation and Significance
  • Low Frequency Residual Hearing Revisited
  • When a Hearing Aid is NOT Enough: Consider other types of Hearing Assistance Technologies

Footer

About Us

Our goal is to address the growing issue of hearing health by conducting innovative research and providing education on how to prevent, detect, preserve, and treat hearing and balance disorders.

Recent Posts

  • The “Occlusion Effect” — What it is, and What to Do About it
  • The Connections Between Hearing Loss and Dementia
  • 5 Latest Treatments for Hearing Loss and Are They Effective?
  • 5 Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss
  • 5 Types of Hearing Aids and How To Choose the One for You

Copyright © 2023 · Expert Advice from Audiologists · Privacy Policy · Cookie Policy · Editorial Policy · Partnership with Diabetic.org