What Causes Hearing Loss and How to Know If It’s Happening to You

Hearing loss is one of those conditions that can happen to anyone. Depending on the cause the problem might start creeping in gradually. At times, though, this just happens suddenly. Well, the key to tackling the issue is to first know the causes and some of the early signs. This way you can take proactive steps to save your vital hearing sense. In this article, we’ll walk you through the most common causes of hearing loss including some of the early signs that you should watch out for.  

Extreme Noise Exposure

Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. This is commonly known as Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This type can affect anyone albeit you’re more at risk depending on aspects like your lifestyle and environment like where you work.  For example, if you’re a construction worker in Houston exposed to noise on a daily-basis then you’re at a higher risk.

In this case you’ll typically experience symptoms like muffled hearing and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Additionally, you might find it difficult to understand speeches in environments with background noise. 

You should thus seek medical attention when you suspect hearing loss due to excessive noise exposure.

Excessive Earwax Buildup

You probably think that earwax is unlikely to cause hearing loss, and you are wondering why it appears on this list! Well, while it is a natural and protective substance, earwax can block your ear and cause temporary hearing loss.

This happens when you allow your ear to accumulate too much earwax that eventually hardens in your ear canal.

While it is by far one of the most treatable forms of hearing loss, it will probably go unnoticed until your hearing becomes worse.  When you experience a feeling of fullness in your ear, muffled hearing, or even earaches, just know you are at risk of developing hearing loss.

Preventing is definitely better than cure;you can use a proper cotton swab or a suitable material to gently remove earwax from your ear canal.

Aging

Although old age is a blessing, it comes with its fair share of challenges, including potential hearing loss. Don’t be surprised when you are just a step away and you can’t hear your grandchild!  Yes, this can happen with varying magnitudes, especially if you are in your 60s or 70s. At this age the delicate hair cells in the inner ear that detect sound become damaged or just die off with time.

Since these cells don’t regenerate, your hearing gradually deteriorates and can reach severe levels, especially if you fail to address them.

Initially, you may notice that you have trouble hearing high-pitched sounds, such as birds chirping or children’s voices, or even struggle to follow conversations in noisy environments.

One way to address this is to use hearing aids. They do amplify and make sounds louder, especially high-pitched ones. You can thus look for high quality hearing aids in Houston to reduce the strain of trying to listen. These aids come in various styles and configurations to suit different types of hearing loss. You can talk with your ENT specialist to determine which hearing aid best suits your condition.

Genetic and Hereditary Factors

If you are wondering how someone can develop hearing loss because they come from a certain family, then genetics and hereditary factors can explain it. Simply put, specific genes responsible for ear development and functions can mutate. When these genes mutate, they affect the inner structure of the auditory system. You will likely develop similar hearing problems if you inherit these genes.

Genetic hearing loss can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life and may affect one or both ears with varying severity. If hearing loss runs in your family or if you were born with other congenital conditions, consider getting regular hearing checkups.

For newborns, make sure they are subjected to newborn screening and early diagnosis to prevent developmental delays.

Infections and Illnesses

Infections and illnesses can strike at any time and leave you with temporary or permanent damage. For example, ear infections, especially in children, colds, flu, and even more serious illnesses like meningitis or measles can cause hearing loss.

Some viral and bacterial infections can damage your auditory nerve or structures in the inner ear, while chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension often reduce blood flow to your inner ear, causing hearing loss. 

When experiencing symptoms like sudden change in hearing during or after an illness, dizziness, ear pain, or fluid drainage, this could signal an infection-related hearing issue. In this case, urgently seek medical treatment to prevent long-term damage.

Trauma and Physical Damage

Physical injuries are one of the leading causes of hearing loss worldwide.  Perhaps you sustained injuries to your head or ear in a crash, while playing your favorite game, or accidentally hit an object.

Irrespective of the cause of injury, significant head or ear injuries can damage your eardrum, middle ear bones, or inner ear structures, resulting in hearing loss.

When you sustain head or ear injuries and experience some ear loss, you must seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms that accompany hearing loss include pain, dizziness, or fluid in the ear. When you seek prompt treatment, you will likely reduce the risk of permanent hearing damage.

Wrapping

Hearing loss can strike anyone at any time but that’s not the end of the road. There are solutions to this depending on the root cause. In this regard, speak to a good ENT specialist near you if you’re experiencing any symptoms. The hearing doctor can get to the bottom of the issue and recommend the best course of action. Depending on the cause, they might prescribe the right hearing aids to help hear like you used to again!

See more health-related posts here

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.