What Causes Hearing Loss?

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Hearing loss can develop gradually, occur suddenly, or be present from birth. Sometimes the cause is obvious—such as an explosion, head injury, infection, or another medical condition. In many cases, however, hearing changes result from a combination of aging, genetics, health conditions, medications, and years of noise exposure.

A hearing evaluation can identify the type and degree of hearing loss and help determine the most appropriate next step.

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The Three Main Types of Hearing Loss

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Hearing loss is generally classified as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot travel efficiently through the outer or middle ear. Depending on the cause, it may be temporary and medically treatable.

Common causes include:

• Impacted earwax

• Fluid behind the eardrum

• Middle-ear or ear-canal infections

• A perforated eardrum

• Poor Eustachian tube function

• A foreign object in the ear canal

• Damage to the tiny bones of the middle ear

• Otosclerosis, which can restrict movement of the middle-ear bones

• Structural differences involving the ear canal or middle ear

Because some conductive conditions require medical treatment, an appropriate referral may be recommended before hearing devices are considered.

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Sensorineural Hearing Loss

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Sensorineural hearing loss results from damage or changes affecting the cochlea—the hearing organ within the inner ear—or the auditory nerve pathways that carry sound information to the brain.

Common causes include:

• Aging

• Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud noise

• A sudden, extremely loud sound

• Genetics or a family history of hearing loss

• Certain illnesses or infections

• Head trauma

• Ménière’s disease and other inner-ear disorders

• Medications or chemicals that can affect hearing

• Other medical or neurological conditions

Inside the cochlea are thousands of microscopic sensory hair cells. Sound vibrations move fluid within the cochlea, stimulating these cells and helping convert sound into electrical signals that the brain can interpret.

Excessive noise and other damaging factors can injure these delicate cells and their connections. In humans, damaged sensory hair cells generally do not grow back, which is why sensorineural hearing loss is often permanent.

Image caption: Healthy sensory hair cells compared with sensory hair cells damaged by excessive noise exposure.

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Mixed Hearing Loss

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Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

For example, someone with permanent inner-ear hearing loss may also develop impacted earwax, middle-ear fluid, or an ear infection. The conductive component can temporarily make the person’s overall hearing significantly worse. Treating that condition may improve hearing, although the underlying sensorineural loss may remain.

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Everyday Noise Can Affect Your Hearing

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Noise-related hearing loss does not always result from one dramatic incident. It can develop gradually after repeated exposure to loud workplaces, power tools, firearms, concerts, sporting events, motorcycles, lawn equipment, or music played at excessive volume.

The louder the sound and the longer the exposure, the greater the potential risk. Hearing protection, lower listening levels, increased distance from loud sound, and regular hearing testing can all help protect your hearing.

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When Should You Have Your Hearing Evaluated?

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Consider scheduling an evaluation if you:

• Frequently ask people to repeat themselves

• Struggle to understand conversation in restaurants or groups

• Feel that people mumble

• Turn the television or phone volume higher than others prefer

• Have difficulty hearing higher-pitched voices

• Experience ringing or buzzing in your ears

• Notice that one ear hears differently from the other

• Feel that your hearing has gradually declined

A comprehensive hearing evaluation can measure your hearing ability and determine whether your results are consistent with conductive, sensorineural, or mixed hearing loss. Although testing may not always reveal the exact underlying cause, it provides essential information for treatment recommendations and medical referrals.

 

Sudden Hearing Loss Requires Prompt Medical Attention

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A sudden decrease in hearing—especially in one ear—should not be treated as a routine hearing-aid concern. Seek prompt medical evaluation, even if the ear feels blocked or you believe earwax may be responsible. Early treatment can be important in cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

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Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing

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At Nova Hearing Center, we make the evaluation process comfortable, informative, and easy to understand. We will review your results, explain the type and degree of hearing loss identified, and discuss the appropriate next steps for your individual needs.

Schedule your FREE hearing evaluation today or call 833-687-8324.

The medical content was verified against current guidance from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.