Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss affects one out of every ten people and can be categorized as conductive or sensorineural(nerve) hearing loss.

Conductive loss involves the outer or middle ear.  This type of loss can result from a blockage of wax, punctured ear drum, birth defects, otosclerosis, fluid, ear infections or can be hereditary.  This type of hearing loss accounts for approximately 10% of all hearing losses.  A conductive hearing loss may be corrected medically, surgically or with hearing aids.

Sensorineural (nerve) loss is the most prevalent type and accounts for approximately 90% of all hearing losses.  Common causes of sensorineural loss are aging, exposure to loud or persistent noise, viral infections, meniere's disease, ototoxic medications, circulatory distrubances and other illnesses.  Hearing aids are the only rememdy for this type of hearing loss.