Hearing Loss Causes include damage to the inner ear, a buildup of earwax, infections, and a ruptured eardrum.
Certain conditions, including age, illness, and genetics may contribute to it.
Advanced age is the most common cause of hearing loss. After the age of 75, two out of three people have problems hearing.
Scientists cannot determine the exact reason why hearing decreases with age but some theories are that exposure to loud noises and other damaging factors has accumulated over the years and ears just wear down. Genetics is also an important factor.
Noise affects and decreases hearing if it is loud and continuous. Certain workplaces contribute to everyday exposure to loud noises.
An interesting statistic is that 44% of carpenters and 48% of plumbers report hearing problems.
Other noisy workplaces include military, mining, agriculture, and transportation. Ironically, musicians are also at risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
Some medications also affect hearing negatively. These include some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, aspirin, and several drugs for erectile dysfunction.
Certain illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes put ears at risk because they interfere with the ears’ blood supply.
‘Otosclerosis’, a bone disease of the middle ear, and ‘Ménière’s Disease’ affecting the inner ear can both affect the quality of hearing.
Trauma can cause hearing difficulties also, especially when it involves a skull fracture or punctured eardrum.
Infections of the ear or a buildup of earwax are also causes of hearing loss. The reason is that they block ear canals.