Though some hearing loss and deafness develop prior to birth, people may acquire hearing loss in later years. Hearing loss is often associated with aging, but there are a number of ways people can develop hearing loss.
Hearing loss occurs if the functioning of the ear or parts of the ear are impaired. Damage to the auditory nerve prevents the sounds from being transmitted to the brain. Therefore, even if the ear is functioning normally, a normally functioning auditory nerve is necessary for hearing.
How do you lose your hearing? If injury or abnormality interferes with the normal functioning of the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, or auditory nerve, deafness or hearing loss may result. Conductive hearing impairments are when sound is blocked from reaching the inner ear. Since the ear can function normally when there is no blockage, conductive hearing loss can often be corrected by removing the blockage.
Permanent hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. This type of hearing loss is due to an inability of a part or parts of the ear to function normally. Impairment may be caused by traumatic injury to the bones of the middle ear, cochlea, or auditory nerve.
People may lose their hearing if they are exposed to sudden, loud noise or changes in pressure. These sudden stressors on the eardrum can cause trauma to the eardrum. Long-term exposure to noise can also cause a hearing impairment.
Trauma to the ear or auditory nerve can cause hearing loss or deafness. A fracture of the temporal bone of the skull can cause permanent hearing loss. Though trauma that perforates the eardrum can cause hearing loss, this hearing loss is often temporary. In most cases, the damaged eardrum will heal and repair itself. A severely damaged eardrum may need to be surgically repaired.
Some chemicals and medications can have a toxic effect on the ear. Exposure to these chemicals can damage hearing. Quinidine, aminoglycoside antibiotics, and chloroquine are examples of substances that can cause ear poisoning.
Increases in the rigidity of the bones of the middle ear can be how you lose your hearing due to aging. The lifetime accumulated noise exposure can also impair hearing.