Revealing the Causes of Hearing Loss

It is estimated that a person with hearing loss waits anywhere from seven to ten years before taking action. Yet unlike loss of vision, which most people readily accept, part of the delay for treating hearing loss is due to a lack of understanding or denial for the underlying causes.There are several possible causes of hearing loss with the most common being sensorineural hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when inner ear nerves are damaged and do not properly transmit sound signals to the brain. Your inner ear contains tiny hair cells. Prolonged exposure to loud noises such as a shotgun or rifle close to your ear can cause them to wither. Without these hair cells, the ear cannot detect sounds properly. Sensorineural hearing loss can also be caused by an injury, illness, medications or the aging process, but exposure to loud noise is one of the most common causes.Some individuals also experience hearing loss due to disorders with the inner and outer ear. This type of hearing loss is called conductive hearing loss and can result from ear infections, impacted earwax, malformation of the ear structures or other related issues. These factors can occur at birth or as a temporary dysfunction.Both hearing loss causes can also be combined for a mixed hearing loss. Individuals with mixed hearing loss not only have inner or outer ear problems but also reduced hearing due to aging and noise exposure. It is recommended to treat each factor separately to get the best treatment options.Regardless of what caused your or a loved one’s hearing loss, it is important to seek hearing care to avoid communication and listening difficulties. We recommend having your hearing checked by one of our qualified specialists . If hearing aids are recommended for your type of hearing loss, don’t delay in getting fit. Simply visit our Contact Us page to request a complimentary hearing consultation.