Understanding How Hearing Loss Can Occur

What are the factors that can cause hearing loss? Can it happen to everyone? Continue reading to learn about the causes of hearing loss. Learn how each factor affects your ears and your hearing health.

Ear Infections

Inflammation of the middle ear is the cause of most ear infections. This occurs when thick fluid and bacteria blocks the Eustachian tube. Most ear infections use antibiotics to treat the pain and the infection.

Excessive Earwax

Cerumen, also known as earwax, blocks foreign objects from entering the ear. When the gland creates too much wax, the wax can harden. Due to the build-up of heavy earwax, hearing loss will happen. This is because the earwax becomes a blockage in the ear passage. This causes sounds to have issues entering the ears. Remedies include hydrogen peroxide and mineral oil. In worst case scenarios, you may need medicines prescribed by your hearing care team.

Loud Noises

Being exposed to loud noises can cause permanent hearing loss. This is a gradual, yet painless, process. Hearing care professionals call this noise-induced hearing loss. An acoustic trauma may also happen if you encounter a loud sound like a direct blast from an explosion. It could also happen if you go to a firework display or a gun range without the proper protection.

Ruptured Eardrums

Ruptured eardrums happen when infections or diseases remain untreated. When middle ear pressure and outside pressure become unbalanced, a tear forms in the ear drum. This results in hearing loss. Some cases may need surgery to treat.

Damage In The Inner Ear

The inner ear, known as the vestibular system, handles sound detection and balance. The tiny hairs near the cochlea pick up the sound. If they experience loud noise, these hairs break and damage the stimulation of the nerves. The bad news is that these hairs can never be grown once gone.

Physical Head Injury

Physical injuries may also cause hearing disorders. This is especially true if the injury is within the head. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) consists of skull fractures and craniovertebral joint dislocation. These may affect internal organs in the head, and the hearing organs are no exception to it.

Diseases

There are some common diseases which contribute to hearing impairment.

• Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED). This presents as progressive hearing loss and dizziness. Antibodies attacking the inner ear is the main cause of this.
• Otosclerosis. This affects the movement of the tiny bones in the middle ear. This needs surgery to fix this issue.
• Ménière’s disease. This is the combination of sensorineural hearing loss, presbycusis, vertigo, and tinnitus.

Ototoxic Medications

Some medications used to treat other body sickness are ototoxic or harmful to the ears. Medications used in chemotherapy, aspirin, loop diuretics, and antibiotics can harm the ears.

Knowing the factors that cause hearing loss may help you avoid them if you can avoid them. Some of these need the help of a specialist or Hearing Care Practitioner. You may even need surgery if required and approved by the doctor.

If you or someone you care about has hearing loss, let our staff at help. At Beltone Chicago, we can address any hearing loss concerns. Give us a call at (800) 900-6187 or find the nearest location for you. Request a free hearing screening to get answers right away.