What Could it Be?
Possible Causes of Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Loss
Caused by damage to the inner ear or nerve pathway to the brain.
Age-Related
Known as presbycusis or nerve damage - very gradual, usually occurs in the higher frequency range vital to understanding speech. This kind of hearing loss affects about one third of the population 65 or older.
Noise Damage
Exposure to firearms, machinery or musical concerts - can result from single incident or prolonged exposure
Disease
Ailments such as Meniere's Disease which affect the inner ear balance mechanism, and Otosclerosis which affects the functioning of the bones in the middle ear.
Trauma
Birth injury, skull fractures, viral infections, tumors and trauma such as sudden air pressure changes
Medication
Large doses of aspirin, some forms of antibiotics, diuretics, and chemotherapy - obey dosage levels and consult your physician
Conductive Loss
Conditions that interfere with the passage of sound through the outer, middle or inner ear - some may be treatable medically or surgically
Ear Infections
Temporary hearing impairment can result from cold - or allergy-related fluid build-up in the ear and/or Eustachian tubes. Ear infections are the most common ailments among children.
Earwax or Objects
Hearing loss may simply be caused by an accumulation of earwax or foreign objects - let us examine and remove whatever is in there
Other Factors
Smoking can block circulation in tiny inner ear blood vessels. Hearing loss can also be genetically inherited through a single gene or as part of a broader illness.
Hearing Loss in Children Otitis Media is the most frequently diagnosed disease in infants and young children. 75 % of children experience at least one episode of Otitis Media by their third birthday.
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What can I do to prevent hearing loss? The dangers of noise are often ignored because the damage is gradual. Noise adversely affects the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss and often tinnitus (ringing of the ears) can often occur after exposure to noise.
Beware of:
- Motorized garden tools
- Loud music concerts
- Firecrackers
- Sounds of gunfire
- Roar of motorcycles and snowmobiles
- Noisy machinery
Protect Your Hearing
- Limit exposure time to noisy activities
- Wear hearing protection - ear plugs or muffs
- Turn down the volume on the TV, stereo and walkman
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