What causes hearing loss? That’s the first thing people who’ve been diagnosed with some form of hearing loss want to know. There are actually many factors that can contribute to hearing loss. Some may be as simple as a build-up of earwax in the ear canal. Others are more complex, such as damage to the ear. In ascertaining what causes hearing loss, you should first establish what type of hearing loss you’re dealing with. These can be generally divided into 2 categories: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

Conductive Hearing Loss

What is conductive hearing loss? Conductive hearing loss is caused by something which blocks sound moving from your outer to your inner ear. What causes conductive hearing loss? Some of the more common examples inlcude: infections of the middle ear- also known as acute otitis media, “glue ear” (otitis media with effusion) which is when fluid collects in the middle ear, blockage of the outer ear due to wax build-up, otosclerosis (when the ossicles – 3 bones within the middle ear – harden and no longer vibrate properly), damage either by injury or infection to the ossicles, perforated eardrum. These are some of the reasons which pertain to the question, “what causes conductive hearing loss”.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

What is sensorineural hearing loss? Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the pathway between the inner ear and the brain has been damaged. What causes sensorineural hearing loss? Some of the reasons could be: a natural degeneration in your hearing due to the aging process (presbyacusis), being exposed to loud noise resulting in damage to the hair cells in the ear (acoustic trauma), infections such as measles, mumps and meningitis, Meniere’s  Syndrome (a condition whereby the patient experiences fluctuating hearing loss and ear pressure, dizziness, and tinnitus. These symptoms are caused by swelling and a fluid overload of the middle compartment of the inner ear – a condition known as endolymphatic hydrops), certain medication including powerful antibiotics, some cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation therapy, acoustic neuroma – a benign tumor which affects the auditory nerve, cholesteatoma – a benign skin growth which occurs in the middle ear resulting in deafness and vertigo. These are some of the more common answers to the question, “what causes sensorineural hearing loss?”

In addressing the question “what causes hearing loss?” it’s important to keep in mind that one can also suffer from mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.

Needless to say, when talking about what causes hearing loss, there are many other reasons along with those I’ve listed here; consult your doctor or hearing loss specialist to find out more.

Sources: ehealthMD, Bupa, Buzzle.com