Causes of hearing loss

There are many possible causes of hearing loss which may require use of a Hearing Aid.. These can be divided into two basic types, called conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

This is caused by anything that stops sound moving from your outer ear to your inner ear. The following are possible causes of conductive hearing loss.

Middle ear infections (acute otitis media).

Collection of fluid in the middle ear - 'glue ear' (otitis media with effusion).

Blockage of the outer ear, usually by wax.

Otosclerosis, a condition where the ossicles of the middle ear harden and become less able to vibrate.

Damage to the ossicles, for example by serious infection or head injury.

Perforated (pierced) eardrum, which can be caused by an untreated ear infection (chronic suppurative otitis media), head injury or a blow to the ear, or from poking something in your ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss

This is caused by damage to the pathway between the inner ear and the brain. It affects sound intensity and makes it more difficult for you to recognise complex sounds. The following are some possible causes.

Age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis). This is a natural decline in your hearing. Many people get this as they get older because of damage to the hair cells in the cochlea.

Damage to the hair cells by loud noises (acoustic trauma). This is more likely to happen if you work in a noisy place.

Certain infections such as measles, mumps or meningitis.

Ménière's disease, which causes hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus (a persistent ringing in the ears).
Certain medicines, such as some powerful antibiotics, can cause permanent hearing loss. At high doses, aspirin is thought to cause temporary hearing loss and tinnitus.

Certain cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause hearing loss.

Acoustic neuroma. This is a benign (non-cancerous) tumour affecting the auditory nerve causing deafness and tinnitus.

Cholesteatoma (benign skin growth) in the middle ear, causing deafness and vertigo (sensation of movement when you're standing still).

Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

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