what causes hearing loss?

Question

I'm doing a report on hearing loss and I need to know some information on it

Answer 1

There are different types of hearing loss, depending on which part of the hearing pathway is affected. A specialist will always try to localize where in the hearing pathway the problem lays, so as to be able to classify the hearing loss as belonging to one of the following groups. This is most important in determining the appropriate treatment.
Conductive hearing loss is due to any condition that interferes with the transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can be successfully treated in most cases. In cases of conductive hearing loss, sound waves are not transmitted effectively to the inner ear because of some interference in:
The external ear canal
The mobility of the eardrum (problems with the mobility of the eardrum are often caused by accumulation of fluid in the eustachian tube, the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the throat)
The three tiny bones inside the middle ear
The middle-ear cavity
The openings into the inner ear
The eustachian tube
Modern techniques make it possible to cure or at least improve the vast majority of cases involving problems with the outer or middle ear. Even if people with conductive hearing loss are not improved medically or surgically, they stand to benefit greatly from a hearing aid, because what they need most is amplification.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
In sensorineural hearing loss, the damage lies in the inner ear, the acoustic nerve, or both. Most physicians call this condition "nerve deafness." The cochlea has approximately 30,000 hearing nerve endings (hair cells). The hair cells in the large end of the cochlea respond to very high-pitched sounds, and those in the small end (and throughout much of the rest of the cochlea) respond to low-pitched sounds. These hair cells, and the nerve that connects them to the brain, are susceptible to damage from a variety of causes. The term "sensory" hearing loss is applied when the damage is in the inner ear. Common synonyms are "cochlear" or "inner-ear" hearing loss.
"Neural" hearing loss is the correct term to use when the damage is in the acoustic nerve, anywhere between its fibers at the base of the hair cells and the relay stations in the brain (the auditory nuclei). Other common names for this type of loss are "nerve deafness" and "retrocochlear" hearing loss.
Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most challenging problems in medicine. A large variety of hearing impairments fall under this category. Although the chances for restoring a sensorineural hearing loss are slim, a small number of cases can be treated, and some people experience dramatic improvements as a result. However, a great need for further research in this area still exists.
Central Hearing Loss
In central hearing loss, the problem lies in the central nervous system, at some point within the brain. Interpreting speech is a complex task. Some people can hear perfectly well but have trouble interpreting or understanding what is being said. Although information about central hearing loss is accumulating, it remains somewhat a mystery in otology (the medical specialty of ear medicine and surgery). A condition called central auditory processing disorder frequently leads people to think they have hearing loss when their hearing is actually normal. Despite the fact that this problem is extremely common and present in many highly successful people, it is actually classified as a learning disability. Basically, the problem involves a person's inability to filter out competing auditory signals. People with central auditory processing disorders have difficulties that include:
Problems "hearing" when there are several conversations going on
Inability to read or study with the radio or television on
Problems reading if someone turns on a vacuum cleaner or air conditioner near them
Generally missing the first sentence from people talking to them if they are involved in an auditory attention task (such as watching television)
Although such people (and their families and friends) frequently suspect that they have a hearing loss, the function of the ears is usually normal, and routine hearing tests are normal. Naturally, people with this condition may also develop hearing loss from other causes, and this can make it even more difficult for them to function under everyday circumstances.
There is no good treatment for central auditory processing disorders other than educating the person, family, and friends, and trying to control the environment. This is especially important for children, whose grades may go from F to A if they are provided with a silent place in which to do their homework.
The test necessary to diagnose central hearing impairment must be designed to assess a person's ability to handle complex information. Most of the tests now available were not created specifically for this purpose. It requires a very experienced and almost intuitive judgment on the physician's part to make an accurate diagnosis.
Functional Hearing Loss
Functional hearing loss involves a psychological or emotional problem, rather than physical damage to the hearing pathway. Individuals with this type of hearing loss do not seem to hear or respond; yet, in reality, they have normal hearing.
The most important challenge for physicians is to classify this condition properly. It may be difficult to determine the specific emotional cause, but if the classification is made accurately, the proper therapy can begin. Too often, a functional hearing loss is not recognized, and individuals receive useless treatments for prolonged periods. In turn, this process may aggravate the emotional element and cause the condition to become more resistant to treatment.
Mixed Hearing Loss
Frequently, a person experiences two or more types of hearing impairment, and this is called mixed hearing loss. This term is used only when both conductive and sensorineural hearing losses are present in the same ear. However, the emphasis is on the conductive hearing loss, because available therapy is so much more effective for this disorder.

What Kinds Of Hearing Tests Are Done
Audiogram
Tympanometry
Site of lesion testing
BERA
Other types of testing

Anything that completely blocks the ear canal can cause hearing loss. Blockage with earwax (also called cerumen) is common. A doctor can cure this easily by removing the wax either with specially designed instruments or by flushing with water. There are many over-the-counter wax control preparations that can be used at home. However, they sometimes can cause external ear infections. Many other problems can block the ear canal and lead to hearing loss. Such blocking causes a decrease in volume but does not generally produce distortion. These problems include: Infections with swelling that shuts the ear canal
Foreign bodies in the ear
An injury
Birth defects
A growth in the ear canal
Problems that can affect the middle ear and lead to hearing loss include: Ear infections
Fluid in the ear
Otosclerosis
Birth defects
Tumors
Exposure to loud noises for extended periods of time
There are many conditions that cause the delicate inner portion of the ear to function abnormally. They include: Otosclerosis
Presbycusis
Fistula
Head injury
Meniere's syndrome
Noise
Infections
Sudden deafness
Neural problems

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
what causes hearing loss?
I'm doing a report on hearing loss and I need to know some information on it

Answer 3

I am not a doctor of any kind, however, I am the mother of a 10 year old boy with minor hearing loss. I know from personal experience that some hearing loss, especially in children can be caused by repeated ear infections, which, in my son's case, led to ruptured ear drums twice. My son has lost approximately 10% of his hearing because of them.

Answer 4

Any number of things can cause a loss of hearing. For me, it's considered hereditary, though it's still not considered a genetic factor (yeah, figure that out!). My hearing aid company has a website with some really good stuff. Give it a try http://www.siemens-hearing.com

Email me if there's anything I can help you with

Answer 5

Hearing loss can be basically for 2 reasons:

1. Obstacle or damage to the conduction pathway of sound to the sensory part of the 8th cranial nerve. It may occur due to some accidental injury to or surgical removal of the tympanic membrane and/or the osteal bones inside the middle ear. Some tumors in the outer and middle ear can also block the conduction pathway and limitize the conduction process.

2. Damage of the 8th cranial nerve anyway. It may happen due to accidental trauma, surgical accidents, tumors in the cranium, some auto immune diseases and senility.

Hearing loss may be sudden or slowly progressing and it may be also temporary and permanent according to the cause(s). Usually, hearing losses due to conduction failure can be treated and managed by using hearing aids. But if the concerned nerve is damaged, it is almost untreatable and can't be managed by any hearing aid or any other process.

Answer 6

Huh? Could you repeat that? I didn't hear you!

Seriously, I know I have had a slight hearing loss from all the loud music to which I listened as a youth. That is one cause.

Answer 7

The causes of hearing loss in adults that are the most common are:
-Being subjected to loud noises over an extreme period of time, such as at work, using a pushmower, really loud music in the car, or basically anything really loud

-There are some hearing losses that are related to age. The older that you get, the nerves and cells in the inner ear change and can gradually lead to hearing loss

Some other causes of hearing loss can include:
-An excessive amount of earwax

-A head or ear injury

-Severe ear infections

Hearing loss, however, does not affect just adults, it can affect children as well, so be sure to keep them away from the radio being turned up really loud or lawn mower, etc to protect their little ears. Hope this helps you with your report and good luck

Answer 8

I have a rare genetic (NOT heredity) Sensorineural Hearing Loss. No one in generations of either side of the family have deafness, but me & my 2 siblings all suffer from hearing loss, mine is profound. My parents' combined genetic strain produced an unusual deafness.

Answer 9

It can be genetics or acquired. In short genetically you are born with the loss. Acquired loss can be noise induced hearing loss, trauma, ear infections, some medications etc. Hope that helps
Raji Parangad
'My Audiologist"

Answer 10

It may also be hereditary meaning that if someone in the family has it, the child may be born with it.
in adults has many causes such as disease or infection, ototoxic drugs, exposure to noise, tumors, trauma, and the aging process. This loss may or may not be accompanied by tinnitus, ringing in the ears. Tinnitus can occur by itself without any hearing loss.

Some causes of hearing loss in adults are described below:

Otosclerosis is a disease involving the middle ear capsule, specifically affecting the movement of the stapes (one of the three tiny bones in the middle ear).

Meniere's disease affects the membranous inner ear and is characterized by deafness, dizziness (vertigo), and ringing in the ear (tinnitus).

Answer 11

There are many things which can cause a loss of hearing.
Some simple things, and easy to correct, are build up of fluid in the ears, build up of wax in the ears, infections and foreign objects in the ear canal.
There are also many more difficult problems....
Otosclerosis which is hereditary, tumors, presbycusis, fistula, neural problems and Meniere's syndrome.
As someone else said, loud noises, head injuries and infections left untreated are always a source of hearing loss.
Some other causes include meningitis, tuberculosis, arthritis, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, kidney disease, cancer and diabetes.
There are many more health concerns that can, and do, affect the hearing. The ear is particularly sensitive. Even something as simple as a chronic cough can interrupt hearing and cause damage in the ear!