What Are The 3 Main Causes Of Hearing Loss

Leading Causes Of Hearing Loss In Children

Parents of children, who are diagnosed with hearing loss, are often astonished by the diagnosis wondering how their child is suffering from hearing impairment at this age. Like most of the people, they also think that hearing loss occurs in old age. However, in reality, hearing loss can occur at any age.

The causes of hearing loss vary from person to person; however, these are the top three leading causes of hearing loss in children:

1. Illness or Injury

A lot of times, children born with normal hearing may suffer from hearing problems later in life. This could be due to an illness or injury the child may have suffered from. Some infections may get severe and affect hearing too. These infections include:

• Meningitis
• Flu
• Encephalitis

Moreover, children can get injured as well, which could be a cause of the hearing problem. Since the ear structure is delicate, it can get affected easily. Traumas such as head injuries or exposure to loud noises such as fireworks can cause the child to suffer from hearing loss as well.

However, some medications taken during other types of injuries or infections may have hearing loss as its side effect. These drugs, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, diuretics and cisplatin, are called ototoxic. Therefore, before giving your child any drug for any illness or injury, always consult a doctor.

2. Birth Defect

3. Otitis Media

Leading Causes Of Hearing Loss

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Do you have trouble listening to conversations in public? Do you frequently ask people to repeat themselves? Do you have to raise the volume of the TV or radio all the time? If you answered yes to most of the questions, then you are most likely suffering from some degree of hearing loss. But dont worry, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization , about 1 out of 20 people in the world suffer from some form of hearing loss.

Due to a large number of people suffering from hearing impairment, significant research has been conducted in order to help them overcome this problem.

How The Ear Hears

Think about how you can feel speakers vibrate on your sound system or feel your throat vibrate when you speak. Sound, which is made up of invisible waves of energy, causes these vibrations.

Hearing begins when sound waves that travel through the air reach the outer ear or pinna, which is the part of the ear you can see. The sound waves then travel from the pinna through the ear canal to the middle ear, which includes the eardrum and three tiny bones called ossicles. When the eardrum vibrates, the ossicles amplify these vibrations and carry them to the inner ear.

The inner ear is made up of a snail-shaped chamber called the cochlea , which is filled with fluid and lined with thousands of tiny hair cells . When the vibrations move through the fluid, the tiny outer hair cells amplify the vibrations. The amplification is important because it allows you to hear soft sounds, like whispering and birds.

Then, the inner hair cells translate the vibrations into electrical nerve impulses and send them to the auditorynerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain. When these nerve impulses reach the brain, they are interpreted as sound. The cochlea is like a piano: specific areas along the length of the cochlea pick up gradually higher pitches.

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Hearing Impairment In Toddlers And Children

These signs might become more evident in slightly older children:

• The child is behind others the same age in oral communication.
• The child keeps saying âWhat?â or âPardon?â
• The child talks in a very loud voice, and tends to produce louder-than-normal noises.
• When the child speaks, their utterances are not clear.

Causes For Hearing Loss In The Military

Many veterans and active duty military service members may be at an increased risk of experiencing noise-induced hearing loss. In addition to the extremely loud noises that service members may be exposed to, some veterans claim that the military earplugs distributed to service members between 2003 and 2015 were defective and may have exposed thousands of military members to dangerous noise levels.

Signs And Symptoms Of Hearing Loss

It’s not always easy to tell if you’re losing your hearing.

Common signs include:

• difficulty hearing other people clearly, and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
• asking people to repeat themselves
• listening to music or watching television loudly
• having to concentrate hard to hear what other people are saying, which can be tiring or stressful

The signs can be slightly different if you only have hearing loss in 1 ear or if a young child has hearing loss.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can happen gradually. You might not even notice youre losing your hearing.

Most people dont have any pain with hearing loss. Instead, you might notice you:

• Ask people to repeat themselves often.
• Cant follow a conversation or think other people mumble.
• Cant hear certain high-pitched sounds, like birds singing.
• Need to turn up the volume on the TV or radio.
• Experience ringing in the ears , pain , a fluid sensation or pressure inside the ear.

Signs of hearing loss in children include:

• Not startling at loud noises.
• Not turning toward sounds or when you say the childs name .
• Responding to some but not all sounds.
• Saying huh? a lot.
• Speech delays, such as not saying dada or mama by age 1.

Types Of Hearing Impairment

There are two main types of hearing impairment conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearing impairment is associated with outer or middle ear. It results from a movement of sound waves through the ear; for example, blockage of the ear canal. Some possible causes of conductive hearing loss are foreign body or hematoma, obstructed external ear canal due to cerumen, otitis media or blast injury and perforated tympanic membrane due to direct trauma.

Sensorineural hearing impairment is generally related to the inner ear. It is caused by damage to cells or nerves of ear that sense the sound waves. Some of the common causes for this type of hearing loss are barotraumas or ear squeeze, acoustic trauma due to prolonged exposure to loud noises, ototoxic drugs such as antibiotics , head trauma , diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

What Are The Common Causes Of Hearing Loss

Jan 30, 2020 | Hearing Loss |

When we are young, we often take our hearing for granted, but as we age and things become more difficult, the possibility of hearing loss starts to get our attention. We usually think of hearing loss as a health condition affecting the aging or the elderly, but it can affect individuals of all ages under various circumstances. To provide the best possible solution to hearing loss issues, I must first determine its cause. An understanding of the common causes of hearing loss not only raises awareness of the importance of hearing health care, but also helps me address ways of preventing it.

What Are The Complications Of Hearing Loss

Having hearing loss can make you feel disconnected from the world around you. You may become frustrated, irritable or angry. People with severe hearing loss can become anxious or depressed. Children with hearing loss may struggle in school and get poor grades. Studies also show a link between hearing loss in older adults and dementia.

The Connection Between Hearing Loss And Influenza

The early signs of flu are running nose, headaches, sore throat, coughing and fever. Flu causes congestion and build-up of fluids in the Middle ear and the Eustachian tube. There is a drop in the hearing ability and a feeling of blocked ear. The congestion in the middle ear does not allow the sound waves to reach the inner ear. Proper treatment can clear the infection and restore hearing. This temporary hearing loss is also known as Conductive Hearing loss.

There are cases where the infection is very severe and affects the inner parts of the ear. The delicate nerves can get affected by the infection. The damage to the nerves causes Sensorineural Hearing loss. This type of loss is permanent in nature. You need to see your doctor if the hearing ability is not normal within a day or two of the flu being cured. You can follow the precautions mentioned in the blog on How to prevent ear Infections.

What Are The Types Of Hearing Loss

You can have hearing loss in one ear or both . The type depends on where damage occurs within the hearing system.

Types of hearing loss include:

• Conductive: Something blocks sound from passing through the outer ear or middle ear . The block may be an ear infection, earwax or fluid in the ear. Loud noises may sound muffled, and soft sounds can be hard to hear. Medicine or surgery often helps.
• Sensorineural: Hearing loss affects the inner ear or auditory nerve. Loud noises, diseases or the aging process often cause it. Children are prone to this type due to congenital conditions , trauma during childbirth, head injuries or infections. Sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent. Hearing aids and hearing assistive devices can help.
• Mixed: Some people have both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. A head injury, infection or inherited condition can cause mixed hearing loss. You may need treatments for both types of hearing loss.

Treatments For Hearing Loss

Hearing loss sometimes gets better on its own, or may be treated with medicine or a simple procedure. For example, earwax can be sucked out, or softened with eardrops.

But other types  such as gradual hearing loss, which often happens as you get older  may be permanent. In these cases, treatment can help make the most of the remaining hearing. This may involve using:

• hearing aids  several different types are available on the NHS or privately
• implants  devices that are attached to your skull or placed deep inside your ear, if hearing aids are not suitable
• different ways of communicating  such as sign language or lip reading

Exposure To Loud Sounds

If youre not too old and you havent been born with it, theres still a possibility you can encounter hearing issues. Noise-induced hearing loss is common to happen on the job or even when youre having fun if youre not aware of it. Whether it be a construction site, loud machinery, fireworks or gunshots NIHL can be serious if left untreated. Constant exposure over time can seriously damage to the tiny hair cells in your inner ear. Even though it is largely preventable, many have permanent damage from it because they thought it would eventually go away and their hearing would return to normal. Be constantly vigilant if put in these situations as well as understand the dangers involved.

What Causes Hearing Impairment

The most common cause of conductive hearing loss in kids and teens is otitis media, which is the medical term for an ear infection that affects the middle ear. Ear infections cause a buildup of fluid or pus behind the eardrum, which can block the transmission of sound. Even after the infection gets better, fluid might stay in the middle ear for weeks or even months, causing difficulty hearing.

But this fluid is usually temporary, and whether it goes away on its own or with the help of medications, once it’s gone a person’s hearing typically returns to normal. Blockages in the ear, such as a foreign object, impacted earwax or dirt, or fluid due to colds and allergies, can also cause conductive hearing loss.

People also get conductive hearing loss when key parts of the ear the eardrum, ear canal, or ossicles are damaged. For example, a tear or hole in the eardrum can interfere with its ability to vibrate properly. Causes of this damage may include inserting an object such as a cotton swab too far into the ear, a sudden explosion or other loud noise, a sudden change in air pressure, a head injury, or repeated ear infections.

Sensorineural hearing impairment results from problems with or damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Its causes include:

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Diseases That Cause Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is very common. We are familiar with the common causes of Hearing Loss. Old age and exposure to loud sound are the 2 most common causes of Sensorineural Hearing loss. Our blog Common Hearing Loss Cause and Symptoms explains some of the other causes. To most of us, it may come as a big surprise but there are many other causes. Some diseases which are not related to the ear can also cause Hearing loss.

Table of Contents

• Can Obesity Cause Hearing Loss?

Four Levels Of Deafness

There are four levels of deafness or hearing impairment. These are:

• Mild deafness or mild hearing impairment: The person can only detect sounds between 25 and 29 decibels . They may find it hard to understand the words other people are saying, especially if there is a lot of background noise.
• Moderate deafness or moderate hearing impairment: The person can only detect sounds between 40 and 69 dB. Following a conversation using hearing alone is very difficult without using a hearing aid.
• Severe deafness: The person only hears sounds above 70 to 89 dB. A severely deaf person must either lip-read or use sign language in order to communicate, even if they have a hearing aid.
• Profound deafness: Anybody who cannot hear a sound below 90dB has profound deafness. Some people with profound deafness cannot hear anything at all, at any decibel level. Communication is carried out using sign language, lip-reading, or reading and writing.

The Connection Between Hearing Loss And Hypertension

The connection is very easy to understand. The high blood pressure puts additional pressure on the walls of the vessels carrying blood. This additional pressure damages the blood carrying vessels or the arteries. Small arteries supply fresh oxygenated blood to the delicate part of our ears. Damage to these arteries can cause a reduction of blood supply which causes Sensorineural Hearing loss. It is important to de-stress to keep the blood pressure under control. Read about the ways to destress to avoid stress related hearing loss.

Causes Of Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment is one of the major health problems. Since ear is a very delicate organ, it can get damaged by different factors and lose its normal functioning. Here is some useful information about the common causes of hearing impairment.

Hearing impairment is one of the major health problems. Since ear is a very delicate organ, it can get damaged by different factors and lose its normal functioning. Here is some useful information about the common causes of hearing impairment.

Human beings are blessed with five senses such as touch, vision, hearing, taste and smell. These senses are very essential for living a normal life. Ability to hear is one of these important senses, through which we can communicate with others and enjoy our favorite movies and music. Unfortunately, some people lose their hearing ability because of certain reasons. There may be total or partial loss of hearing ability of one or both ears. The level of hearing impairment can be mild, moderate or severe. It not only affects your health, but also your lifestyle.

How Can Axil Help

AXIL has a few different options for not only a tool to test your hearing but for electronic listening devices that can fit your needs. Our SmartFIT Hearing Test & Programmer is our take on doctor office regulated hearing testers that you can now have in the comfort of your own home and to take anywhere youd like. Additionally, the Spectre Open-In Ear Hearing and Clear Flex I-Open Ear/Behind-The-Ear both have great fit, durability and features not present on competitors. The Edge 90 and Edge 360 are our custom molded offerings and have more features and customizations than our standard line.

When its all said and done, hearing impairments have a variety of causes. Some can be fixed with medical procedures while others will unfortunately need you to buy some form of electronic amplifier to aid your day to day life. Whichever issues you may have now, know that AXIL is here to help you with whatever price point and lifestyle you have.

Causes Of Hearing Loss In Adults

You can inherit hearing loss from your family. It is also common for hearing loss to happen as you get older. There are other causes described below. Hearing loss may happen by itself or with tinnitus, or ringing in your ears.

Some causes of hearing loss in adults include:

Otosclerosis. This is a middle ear disease. It makes it harder for the tiny bones in the middle ear to move. It causes a conductive hearing loss. This condition is often treated with surgery.

Ménière’s disease. This is an inner ear problem. The cause of Ménière’s disease is not known. It usually starts in people between 30 and 50 years old. A person with this disease will often have sensorineural hearing loss. Dizziness and ringing in the ear are common. Sensitivity to loud sounds may also happen. The hearing loss comes and goes, but over time some loss becomes permanent.

Autoimmune inner ear disease. An autoimmune disorder is one where your body attacks itself. This type of hearing loss happens fast. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you suddenly lose your hearing. Medical treatment can help keep hearing loss to a minimum.

Ototoxic medications. There are some medicines that can cause hearing loss. You should talk with your doctor about the medicines you take. Some medicines that may impact hearing include the following:

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as streptomycin, neomycin, or kanamycin
• Large amounts of aspirin

The Connection Between Hearing Loss And Chronic Kidney Disease

The Kidneys clean up the toxins in the body. Toxins collect in the body if the Kidneys are not functioning normally. These toxins damage the sensitive nerves in the Inner ear. The tissue structure in the Kidneys is similar to the inner ear. The elements damaging to the Kidney tissue also cause damage to the ear tissue. Electrolyte disturbance is also a cause of Sensorineural Hearing loss. Certain medicines used for the treatment of CKD are harmful or Ototoxic to the ear.

Signs Of Hearing Loss

Some people have a hearing problem and dont realize it. You should see your doctor if you:

• Have trouble hearing over the telephone
• Find it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking
• Often ask people to repeat what they are saying
• Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain
• Have a problem hearing because of background noise
• Think that others seem to mumble
• Cant understand when women and children speak to you

Hearing Loss In Aging Clients

Statistics cited by American Family Physician demonstrate that Hearing loss affects approximately one-third of adults 61 to 70 years of age and more than 80 percent of those older than 85 years. Conditions, such as damage to the tympanic membrane or obstructions in the ear canal, are common causes of conductive hearing loss at any age, but aging clients usually experience the sensorineural form. Deterioration of nerve receivers in the inner ear along with the weakening of the auditory nerve system are common with aging, though mixed forms due to weakened or damaged ear structures leading to conductive hearing loss is also possible. Long-term exposure to loud noises, increased or prolonged usage of ototoxic medications, and other age-related health conditions also contribute to hearing loss in aging adults.

It is important to maintain healthy hearing throughout your life. Making a conscientious effort to protect yourself from acquired hearing loss through the use of head and ear protection when engaged in certain activities along with receiving proper medical treatment for infections and illnesses goes a long way toward combating hearing loss. I highly recommend regular hearing tests for people of all ages, but it becomes a critical part of regular healthcare among aging clients. The Sound Audiology and Hearing Aids team and I take all types of hearing loss and their causes seriously and were eager to provide treatment or preventive care.

What Healthcare Providers Diagnose And Treat Hearing Loss

If you suspect hearing loss, you may see an:

• Audiologist: These specialists conduct hearing exams and hearing needs assessments to discuss your unique listening and communication needs. They help with determining the appropriate hearing devices, which often include hearing aids, in addition to other types of hearing device technology . Most audiologists have doctorates in audiology . Audiologists are not medical doctors.
• Hearing aid specialist: These specialists pass a state exam and receive state licenses to conduct hearing tests. They can fit you for hearing aids.
• Otolaryngologist: These medical doctors are also known as ear, nose and throat specialists. They prescribe medications and perform surgeries to treat ear problems and hearing loss.

Audiologists or hearing aid specialists often work with otolaryngologists. As a team, they can address all your hearing issues to help improve your hearing.

Can Influenza Cause Hearing Loss

Seeing people sniffling and sneezing during winters is a common sight. Neglecting the early signs can see some come down with severe influenza. Influenza, commonly known as flu can also cause hearing loss. Flu, after all, is a virus which affects the sinuses and the ears. In a majority of the cases, flu causes Conductive Hearing loss which is reversible. Hearing loss can become permanent if proper and timely treatment is not taken.

The Connection Between Hearing Loss And Obesity

Obesity does not directly affect Hearing loss, but it can certainly increase the chances of Hearing loss. The heart pumps blood to each and every organ in the body. Blood reaches our inner ear through small arteries and capillaries. In an obese person, the heart has to pump harder to deliver blood to the smallest of the organ. Over a period of time, the heart finds it difficult to pump blood. There is a gradual reduction of blood supply to the smaller organs. In this case, the reduced blood supply to the inner ear causes the hair cells to die. This reduces the total number of active hair cells and causes Sensorineural Hearing loss.

Obesity is responsible for Heart disease and diabetes which further damage the hearing.

A healthy lifestyle is very important. Do find time to take care of your body.

What Are The Complications Associated With Hearing Loss

Hearing loss has been shown to negatively impact peoples quality of life and their mental state. If you develop hearing loss, you may have difficulty understanding others. This can increase your anxiety level or cause depression. Treatment for hearing loss may improve your life significantly. It may restore self-confidence while also improving your ability to communicate with other people.

Causes For Hearing Loss

Military service members may be at risk of experiencing noise-induced hearing loss from a variety of causes. Firearms, bombs, aircraft, tanks, and heavy equipment may all produce noises above the level considered to be safe for exposure.

In addition to these causes for hearing loss, military members who served between 2003 and 2015 may have also been exposed to hearing loss due to allegedly defective earplugs, specifically Combat Arms Earplugs.

Between 2003 and 2015, the military issued service members earplugs made by 3M. However, due to a design flaw, these earplugs were too short to be properly inserted into users ears. This resulted in the earplugs becoming loose without the knowledge of the users, exposing service members to potential hearing loss. Many service members who used these earplugs may have believed they were protected from hearing loss until they began to show symptoms of the condition.

Thousands of military service members may have been affected by this defect. Indeed, the militarys contract with 3M dates back to 2006, and involves approximately 15,000 earplug packages annually. 3M discontinued the product in 2015.