Causes of Hearing Impairment

Some Causes of Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment is one of the major and often devastating health problems. Since the human ear is an extremely delicate organ, it can get damaged even ravaged by different factors and lose its vital normal functioning. In this article you will find useful information about the common causes of hearing impairment. Keep in mind that there is also a psychological aspect of hearing impairment that must be foremost in the mind of parents and other caregivers of children. This manifests itself in an adjustment disorder in the matter of hearing loss in children that really should be addressed early on.

Human being is blessed with five senses such as touch, vision, hearing, taste and smell. These senses are very essential for living a normal life. Ability to hear is one of these important senses, through which we can communicate with others and enjoy our favorite movies and music. Unfortunately, some people lose their hearing ability because of certain reasons. There may be total or partial loss of hearing ability of one or both ears. The level of hearing impairment can be mild, moderate or severe. It not only affects your health, but also your lifestyle.

Types of Hearing Impairment

There are two main types of hearing impairment such as conductive hearing impairment and sensorineural hearing impairment. Conductive hearing impairment is associated with outer or middle ear. It results from a movement of sound waves through the ear; for example, blockage of the ear canal. Some possible causes of conductive hearing loss are foreign body or hematoma, obstructed external ear canal due to cerumen, otitis media or blast injury and perforated tympanic membrane due to direct trauma. Sensorineural hearing impairment is generally related to the inner ear. It is caused by damage to cells or nerves of ear that sense the sound waves. Some of the common causes for this type of hearing loss are barotraumas or ear squeeze, acoustic trauma due to prolonged exposure to loud noises, ototoxic drugs such as antibiotics (gentamicin, erythromycins), head trauma (fracture of temporal bone), diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

The Causes of Hearing Impairment

You want to know the exact as far as you are able causes of hearing impairment in order to get the appropriate treatment. There may be a very significant impact on a child’s language and education as a result of hearing impairment. Notably the most common causes of hearing impairment include some genetic, congenital, infectious, traumatic, toxic, occupational and age-related factors.

Hearing impairment can be and often is hereditary. Children of one or both deaf parents are at higher risk of developing this disorder. Some of these genetic conditions responsible for hearing impairment are osteogenesis imperfecta, Cockayne syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Hunter syndrome, hereditary nephritis, etc. Hearing loss in children is a matter requiring special training for their caretakers.
Hearing impairment is many times due to some congenital factors such as premature birth, fetal iodine deficiency effects, use of ototoxic drugs, rubella, syphilis, jaundice and the conditions during the birth in which a baby lacks enough oxygen to breathe.
Ear infection discusssed elsewhere on this site in some detail is one of the most common causes of hearing impairment. Middle ear infection (otitis media) causes swelling of inner lining of middle ear and accumulation of fluid. Another common ear infection leading to hearing loss is infection of ear canal (otitis externa or swimmer’s ear). Some infectious diseases such as measles, meningitis and mumps can also lead to hearing impairment.
Aging is the most significant cause of hearing impairment. It is also known as age-related hearing loss or presbycusis. Most people start to lose a small amount hearing ability in their middle age and they experience a remarkable hearing impairment in their old age. Age-related hearing loss is because of damage to hair cells within the cochlea, due to which electrical signals are not transmitted efficiently.
Another common cause of hearing impairment is sudden damage to ear from loud noises. Due to continuous exposure to extremely loud noises, a delicate structure of inner ear is injured, leading to hearing loss. People working in loud environment (such as nightclub or discotheque staff) are at greater risk of developing this problem.
Use of ototoxic drugs such as some antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs can damage the cochlea. It causes hearing loss in any age ranging from early infancy to old age.
Traumatic injury such as head trauma, skull fracture (temporal bone), traumatic perforation of eardrum, barotraumas (differences in pressure) and acoustic trauma such as fireworks, rock concerts, gunfire, explosions and earphones can lead to hearing impairment.
Some very common causes for temporary hearing loss are accumulation of wax in the ear canal, blocked Eustachian tubes, allergy, foreign body lodged in the ear canal, head injury and scarred or perforated eardrum.
Adjustment disorder due to hearing loss is a matter in need of great attention and care. This can be a serious emotional and often upsetting event for both the one who loses their hearing and those who care deeply about them. the adjustment may need the intervention of professionals with experience in counseling in this area.

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