Introduction

Hearing loss is a common problem, affecting 48 million Americans. It may be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, disease and injury. However, only about one third of people with hearing loss choose to do anything about it. There are many misconceptions about hearing loss that make it harder for people to feel comfortable getting tested and seeking treatment. The first step toward a solution is education: here’s an overview of some types of hearing loss so you can better understand your own situation.

Hearing loss is a fairly common problem. Over 48 million Americans currently suffer from hearing loss, and that number is expected to double by the year 2050. Likewise, of all American adults over the age of 70, around two thirds suffer from some form of hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a fairly common problem. Over 48 million Americans currently suffer from hearing loss, and that number is expected to double by the year 2050. Likewise, all American adults over the age of 70, around two thirds suffer from some form of hearing loss.

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors including aging, genetics and exposure to excessive noise levels. Hearing loss may be temporary or permanent depending on the cause and severity of damage to your ears.

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of different factors, including genetics, disease, injury, excessive noise exposure and aging. However, only about one thirdof people with hearing loss choose to do anything about it.

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of different factors, including genetics, disease, injury and aging. However, only about one third of people with hearing loss choose to do anything about it. The first step toward a solution is education.

There are all sorts of misconceptions about hearing loss, which can make it harder for people to feel comfortable getting tested and seeking treatment. The first step toward a solution is education. Many people are unaware of the various types of hearing loss and the ways in which they differ. Here are just a few examples.

The first step toward a solution is education. Many people are unaware of the various types of hearing loss and the ways in which they differ. Here are just a few examples:

• Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), sometimes called presbycusis, is a common type that affects people over 50 years old—and it’s not curable. This kind of hearing loss can be caused by the aging process itself or by exposure to loud noises over time, such as those from work environments or even sporting events.
• Conductive hearing loss is caused by problems with your outer or middle ear—the parts of your ear that collect sound waves and send them through fluid to the inner ear before being sent through nerves to the brain for interpretation. This type may come from infections such as otitis media (middle ear infection) or trauma like an injury to those parts of your head. It can also result from things like tubes put into babies’ ears after surgery on newborns; these tubes block out external sounds while giving off their own amplified noises inside the skull cavity instead!
• Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when damage has occurred inside your inner ear or auditory nerve pathways that connect it with other parts of brain responsible for processing sound signals into meaningful information we can understand (known collectively as central nervous system). You may have heard this type referred to as “nerve deafness” because it involves no external physical damage–it’s strictly internal injuries within our bodies.”

Conductive hearing loss occurs when your eardrum and tiny bones in your middle ear don’t work properly together. This can happen if something is blocking your ear canal or if fluid builds up in your middle ear. Some causes of conductive hearing loss include:

• Conductive hearing loss occurs when your eardrum and tiny bones in your middle ear don’t work properly together. This can happen if something is blocking your ear canal or if fluid builds up in your middle ear. Some causes of conductive hearing loss include:
• middle ear infections (usually viral)
• buildup of wax behind the eardrum
• a perforation or hole in the eardrum due to trauma, surgery, or another cause

Middle ear infections

Middle ear infections (otitis media) are one of the most common causes of hearing loss in children. If you’re a parent or caregiver, it can be difficult to know when your child is experiencing an acute middle ear infection and how to spot the signs.

An acute middle ear infection happens when bacteria or viruses enter your child’s middle ear through their Eustachian tube, which connects their nose and throat with their inner ears. Many times these infections are accompanied by fluid buildup behind their eardrum. This buildup causes pressure changes inside their body that can result in temporary hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing noises).

Earwax build-up

Earwax has a vital function in the ear canal. Its purpose is to trap dirt and germs, which helps to prevent infection, and also lubricates the eardrum. The amount of earwax produced varies from person to person, but in most cases it is a natural substance that helps maintain your hearing health.

However, if too much builds up it can cause discomfort and hearing loss – particularly if it blocks the eardrum or forms a plug between two bones called malleus (hammer), incus (anvil) and stapes (stirrup).

A eardrum rupture

If your eardrum ruptures, it will usually cause a sudden conductive hearing loss. This can be caused by:

• A sudden loud noise, such as an explosion or firework.
• A sudden change in air pressure, such as diving into water.

Eardrum ruptures are more common in children and young people than older adults because their eardrums are thinner and more tender to start with.

Perforated eardrum

One of the most common types of hearing loss is a perforated eardrum. A perforated eardrum is also known as an auditory tube dysfunction, which occurs when part of your eardrum is torn. This can be caused by injury or infection, or other factors like fluid buildup behind the eardrum.

In most cases, it’s a temporary condition that heals itself within weeks to months — but it may take longer if you have other underlying health issues. If you’re experiencing any type of pain in your ears along with difficulty hearing over time (particularly after exposure to loud noises), this could be an indication that you’ve developed a perforation in one or both of your tympanic membranes (eardrums).

The good news is that most people with this condition don’t require treatment from their physician unless they’re experiencing chronic ear pain or hearing loss that isn’t improving on its own after several weeks’ time has passed since being exposed to loud noises at work or elsewhere around town!

Ear infection due to an illness or injury called otitis media with effusion

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common reason for hearing loss in children, adults and the elderly. OME is also known as “glue ear” and occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. This can happen after an infection, or it can be present without any other symptoms of illness.

Hearing loss caused by OME may occur gradually over time, or can come on suddenly after an ear infection has resolved. The degree of hearing loss depends on how much fluid has built up behind your eardrum and how long it has been present.

Conclusion

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of different factors, including genetics, disease, injury, excessive noise exposure and aging. However, only about one thirdof people with hearing loss choose to do anything about it. The first step toward a solution is education. Many people are unaware of the various types of hearing loss and the ways in which they differ.