Common Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is the total or partial inability to hear in either or both ears. It is also called deafness. It is due to an abnormality, damage, or blockage in any part of the ears.

One common cause of hearing loss is too much earwax in the ear canal. Often earwax migrates outwards and falls off. If you pick your ears too much, you run a risk of causing earwax impaction.

Perforated eardrums also lead to hearing loss. Insertion of foreign objects like cotton tipped swabs in the ears may injure the eardrums. A ruptured eardrum will not conduct vibrations effectively, and this leads to deafness. Sometimes, it may heal by itself. At other times, it requires surgical correction.

Fluid build-up in the ears causes by infections (otitis media) can cause deafness too. Treatment can include decongestants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics. Sometimes, surgical removal of the fluid is done.

Prolonged use of ototoxic medications (NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs, anti-histamines, antibiotics, and loop diuretics) can cause temporary hearing impairment with vertigo and tinnitus (ringing in ears). Read labels of medications if they have ototoxic properties or ask your doctor.

A blow to the temple or a neck injury can cause hearing loss too, especially if the structures and nerves in the ears are injured.

The leading cause of hearing loss, however, is noise. Prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause destruction of the cochlear hair cells. There is no way of repairing destroyed hair cells. As a result, noise-induced hearing loss is permanent.

Hearing loss is sometimes accompanied by tinnitus. Hearing aids are usually prescribed to people with hearing impairment. Effective tinnitus treatments are tinnitus retraining therapy and sound therapy.

What Causes Hearing Loss? | Articles Reloaded: