Exploring The Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors. Though it is frequently inherited, hearing loss causes can include:

  • Prolonged Exposure to Sound Over Time
  • Certain Conditions & Infections
  • Head Injuries
  • Natural part of the aging process
  • Prolonged Exposure to Noise

From having conversations, listening to music and television, and even hearing the sounds on the street, we put our ears through a lot. Usually the sounds that we hear do not cause any damage to our ears. Talking with your friends each day, for example, is probably not going to cause any damage to your ears. Yet listening to music at a high volume (over 85 decibels) will damage the inner sensorial parts of your ears. This is called noise-induced hearing loss, and usually occurs gradually over time, almost imperceptibly to the person who suffers from it. Single exposure to an extremely loud sound, such as an explosion, can also cause hearing loss. This is called acoustic trauma and may be temporary or permanent depending on the damage inflicted.

Conditions and Infections

Certain conditions and ear infections can have a permanent effect on your inner ear. Many of these conditions can be treated by a doctor or surgeon. These include but are not limited to:

  • Otosclerosis: A condition that affects the tiny bones in the middle ear. Fortunately, this condition is surgically treatable.
  • Ménière’s disease: An inner ear condition with symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, and sensitivity to loud noises. This condition can cause temporary to permanent hearing loss. Patients report a range of mild to severe symptoms, and that hearing loss comes and goes over time.
  • Autoimmune disease: A severe condition that can cause sudden, dramatic hearing loss. Hearing loss can be reduced with immediate medical intervention.
  • Ear infections: Middle ear infections or ear canal infections (such as swimmer’s ear) interfere with the movement of the eardrum and ossicles, and can cause permanent hearing damage if left untreated.
  • Earwax buildup or an object in your ear: Earwax or objects in your ear act as barriers to the sensors in your ears. Too much earwax is one of the most common hearing loss causes and is easily treated.

Head Injuries

Physical head injuries can damage the structures within your inner ear, including the tiny bones in your middle ear and your ear drum, leading to hearing loss. Hearing loss caused by head injuries are often permanent and are not easily treated.

Age-Related Hearing Loss

One of the most common and relatable types of hearing loss is age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis. As we age, the senses and nerves in our ears change, making sounds seem muffled or unclear. Age-related hearing loss will occur gradually over time for many people and it is unfortunately not treatable.

Though age-related hearing loss and many of these hearing loss causes are not curable, a good hearing aid will help you to counteract their effects.  To find out how we can help, contact us at Purchase Ear Technology by calling (270) 558-3996 or visit our office at 2008 Broadway St, Paducah, KY  42001.