Anatomy of an Ear Infection Slideshow Pictures Medical Illustration of the Ear Image Collection Tinnitus (Ringing of the Ears) Slideshow Pictures

Hearing Loss Causes

There are 2 basic types of hearing loss, which are called conductive and sensorineural.

• Conductive causes: Conductive hearing losses result from physical problems with the movement of the sound wave through the ear. A simple example is blockage of the ear canal.
  
  
  • Obstructed external ear canal - Cerumen (wax) build-up, hematoma (blood collection), or foreign body in the ear canal. This is one of the most common causes of hearing loss and the easiest to fix.
    
    
  • Perforated tympanic membrane - Caused by direct trauma such as a finger or cotton swab, middle-ear infections (otitis media), or explosions (blast injury)
    
    
  • Dislocated ossicle (malleus, incus, or stapes) - Usually from trauma to the ear
    
    
  • Otitis media - Middle ear infection
    
    
  • Otitis externa - Infection of the ear canal that causes it to swell
  
  
• Sensorineural causes: Sensorineural causes are from damage to the hair cells or nerves that sense sound waves.
  
  
  • Acoustic trauma - Prolonged exposure to loud noises causes the hair cells on the cochlea to become less sensitive.
    
    
  • Barotrauma (pressure trauma) or ear squeeze - Usually in divers
    
    
  • Head trauma - A fracture of the temporal bone can disrupt the nerves of the auditory system
    
    
  • Ototoxic drugs - Certain drugs can affect hearing by damaging the nerves involved in hearing. Usually this occurs when large or toxic doses are used but may also occur with lower doses.
    
    
    • Antibiotics including aminoglycosides (gentamicin, vancomycin), erythromycins, and minocycline
      
      
    • Diuretics including furosemide and ethacrynic acid
      
      
    • Salicylates (aspirin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
      
      
    • Antineoplastics (cancer drugs)
    
    
  • Vascular diseases (problems with blood vessels) include sickle cell disease, diabetes, leukemia, polycythemia, and diseases in which excessive blood clotting occurs.
    
    
  • Children and adults with kidney problems are more susceptible to sensorineural hearing loss.
    
    
  • Ménière disease - A disease that affects hearing and balance. It is usually associated with tinnitus (ringing in the ears). It has a gradual onset and often progresses to deafness and severe vertigo. The cause is unknown.
    
    
  • Acoustic neuroma - A tumor in the auditory nerve. Usually associated with ringing in the ears.
    
    
  • Infections
    
    
    • Mumps
      
      
    • Measles
      
      
    • Influenza
      
      
    • Herpes simplex
      
      
    • Herpes zoster
      
      
    • Mononucleosis
      
      
    • Syphilis
      
      
    • Meningitis
    
    
  • Aging (presbycusis)