Causes Of Hearing Impairment

The root cause of hearing impairment is not always known, but diagnosing the type of hearing impairment is crucial for proper treatment. In children, it is important to recognize hearing impairment early or there will be problems interacting with the world around them. Hearing can be mild to profound, temporary to permanent, unilateral as well as bilateral.

Types of hearing impairment:

There are 4 types: Conductive, Sensorineural, Mixed, and Central hearing losses.

• Conductive hearing impairment is related to the external and middle ear compartments.


• Sensorineural involves the inner ear and and auditory nerve.


• Mixed hearing impairment is the coupling of conductive and sensorineural hearing deficits


• Central is related to the central nervous system, usually a brain tumor

Causes of hearing impairment include heredity, congenital, infection, trauma, ototoxicity, job and age (presbycusis) related causes can lead to hearing impairment.

Heredity: A family history of deafness increases the risk of having hearing difficulties. If one or both parents is hearing impaired, you, your children, and grandchildren could have hearing problems.

Congenital hearing impairment means a person was born with this condition, which could have it's origins during the gestational period or an accident at or during birth, such as:

• Premature birth


• Iodine deficiency


• Ototoxic medications such as gentamicin or the diuretic Lasix


• Infectious diseases including rubella, syphilis, meningitis and jaundice


• Lack of oxygen during birth (anoxia)

Otitis media, an inflammation of the middle ear, causes swelling, in addition to fluid build up. Fluid prevents the sound waves and vibrations of hearing from reaching the brain for interpretation into sound.

Aging, or presbycusis, is a hearing impairment seen mostly in the elderly. It is due to the destruction of the tiny hair cells in the cochlea, responsible for sending impulses to the brain. These cells are not repairable or replaceable.

Noise Induced Hearing Impairment: Results from exposure to excessively loud noises over a long period of time. Working in a factory where loud machines are present, sudden loud sounds such as airbag deployment, gun shots, or explosions can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Trauma due to fracture of the temporal bone, perforated tympanic membrane (eardrum) are also causes of hearing impairment.

Blockages such as large amounts of wax in the ear canal, blocked Eustachian tubes, allergies, as well as objects lodged in the ear canal, and severe head injuries can contribute to hearing loss.

Hearing impairment is treated with hearing aids, removal of obstructions, surgery, and antibiotic medications. Your doctor will choose the correct treatment for your hearing impairment, depending on the location,, extent of damage and type of impairment.

Hearing impairment may be difficult to spot in the early stages. That is why it is important to have your hearing checked regularly for prompt diagnosis and treatment for relief of symptoms.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT

Common Ways to Cause Hearing Loss" featuring Dr. Katz (EarNoseandThroatMD)