There are numerous causes of hearing loss in children and adults. It can be inherited from your parents or acquired from exposure to loud noises, infections, illness, reaction to ear-damaging drugs, tumors, or head injuries. But the most common form of hearing loss is caused by the natural aging process.
Presbyacusis, or Age-Related Hearing Loss
Age-related sensorineural hearing loss, or presbyacusis, is the most common cause of hearing loss, affecting more than half the population aged 80 or older. Sensorineural hearing loss is due to “wearing out” of the hearing hair cells in the inner ear that transmit auditory signals to the hearing nerves. It can’t be reversed or treated with medicine or surgical interventions. Hearing aids can be of help.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Exposure to loud noises over extended periods — such as rock concerts, too-loud iPods or MP3 players, industrial work sites, sports stadiums, etc. — can damage the hair cells in the inner ear. The ear can usually recover from brief exposure but chances of permanent hearing damage increase with the duration of the exposure. Noise-induced hearing loss usually develops gradually. However, acoustic trams from a single exposure to an extremely loud sound such as a shotgun blast can cause an immediate permanent loss of hearing.
Sudden Hearing Loss From Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
Auto-immune diseases can affect the body in many different ways, including sudden loss of hearing. The root cause of autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is not well understood, but steroid treatments have been shown to reverse the hearing loss in many cases. People who suddenly discover they can’t hear should immediately see a doctor. With swift medical treatment, the hearing loss from this disease often can be reduced.
Ménière’s Disease
The cause of Ménière’s disease is unknown. It usually begins between early adulthood and middle age. Ménière’s disease symptoms include sensorineural hearing loss, dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and sensitivity to loud sounds. Hearing levels fluctuate with Ménière’s disease, and over time the hearing loss associated with it can become permanent. For more information visit the Ménière’s Disease Information Center.
Otosclerosis
Ostosclerosis limits the movement of the tiny bones in the middle ear and can cause a conductive type of hearing loss. This condition is often surgically treatable.
Otoxic Drugs
Certain prescription drugs and even common over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin and other pain relievers can cause temporary and/or permanent hearing loss. Affects on individuals vary, and reactions to drugs should never be discounted when trying to diagnose the cause of hearing loss. Several of the most common ototoxic medications are aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as streptomycin, neomycin, or kanamycin); salicylates in large quantities (aspirin); diuretics (lasix or ethacrynic acid); and many drugs used in chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin, carboplatin, or nitrogen mustard). Erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra can also cause sudden hearing loss in certain individuals.
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