diyhealth.com

Causes of severe hearing loss

Hearing loss

Hearing is one of the most imporatnt sense of the human being which makes us able to hear the surrounding sounds. However, this sense is not permanent with time or accidently some might lose this sense. Some people are born deaf and spend their lives without listening to any sounds. Non permanent hearing damage can be cured most of the times. Only in extreme cases the damage is permanent. Read on to learn various causes of hearing damage in human being.

1. Exposure to loud noise on job

Freqquent long term exposure to loud noise on a work place can prove to be detrimental for your ears. It is well understood that you cannot quit a job for a reason of this but it is highly recommended that you take certain precautions as this exposure might cause hearing damage. Noise from machinery, power tools or any other device like airplane can affect your sense of hearing in a bad way. You can save your ears by using ear plugs or some kind of ear protectors that can cancel the surrounding noise.

2. A severe ear injury or pressure change

The sensitive middle ear bones can be dislocated by a severe head injury. It also has the potential of leading to a nerve damage which can be a reason for hearing loss. Another cause can be acute change in the pressure that is capable of rupturing the eardrum, this can happen in variations as lethal as flying to diving in water. However, this damage might not be permanent and with time the drum will heal and the hearing will automatically improve. There might be a need of surgery in case of severe damage in the inner ear. Avoid sticking cotton or anything else in your ear, do not play with sensitive ear as that can lead to severe loss of hearing.

3. Side effect of some medicine

There are some medicines like that used to treat cancer which can cause loss of hearing. This can be a side effect of that particular medicine. The doctors might warn you in advance and thus keep a track of your hearing levels. Certains medicines have the potential of leading to permanent hearing damage. It is advisable not to take medicines like aspirin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen regularly. In major number of cases, the hearing returns as you discontinue the medication.

4. Tumors and other growths

Osteomas, benign polyps and exostoses like non cancerous growths are capable of causing hearing impairment by blocking the ear canal. The hearing of a person affecting with these can be restored by simply removing these growths by operating them. An example of such growths is Acoustic Neuroma which can grow in the inner ear’s ‘hearing and balance’ nerve. Such hearing losses can be restored by proper treatments.

5. Chronic diseases

Certain chronic diseases even when they are not related to ear in any way can cause hearing loss. This can be done by interupting blood flow to the ear. Heart diseases, high BP, diabetes and stroke are few such diseases.

6. Explosive Noises

Extremely loud noises like that from a bomb blast or a gunshot can also cause hearing loss. These sudden noises can rupture the ear drum or even damage the inside of your ear. Doctors call such hearing loss ‘acoustic trauma’. The condition can be critical leading to permanent hearing loss.

7. Concerts and tinnitus

Would you believe that your favorite artist’s music concert can also be a potential cause of hearing damage. Because of the loud noise you might suffer from tinnitus for about some hours or even weeks. In such a situation, you would hear a ring in your ear even post the concert. The decibel level of a rock show is capable of causing permanent hearing damage in about 16 minutes. This is caused because of the extremely loud noise of about 110 decibels. The noise from chain saws and leaf blowers can also affect your hearing.

8. Your quintessential headphones and ear-buds

Regular usage of ear-buds and headphones are capable of causing permanent or temporary hearing damage. Make sure the you keep the volume low and do not keep the ear-buds or headphones plugged for too long.

9. Build up of earwax

It is important to clean the earwax from time to time so that it does not harden. The ear produces earwax as a natural protection for the earcanal from bacteria and dirt. Extreme build up of earwax might cause earache and itching. It might also clog the ear canal and cause temporary hearing loss. You must see a doctor if you think that the ear wax has hardened and clogged your ear.

10. Loss of hearing at birth

There are a few unlucky children who suffer from hearing loss from birth. In technical terms, this is known as ‘congenital hearing loss’ and can be hereditary. Maternal diabetes and infections too are capable of causing hearing damage to the newly born. Premature babies too suffer from hearing loss.

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top