Causes For Hearing Loss
Risk Factors For The Development Of Hearing Loss
Infants, Toddlers & Young Children:
- Family History of hereditary childhood sensori-
neural hearing loss - Congenital infection such as Toxoplasmosis, Syphilis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus & Herpes
- Craniofacial anomalies including abnormalities of the pinna and ear canal
- Low birth weight (less than 1500grams)
- Hyperbilirubinemia at a level requiring exchange transfusion
- Ototoxic Medications used to treat serious infections or birth complications
- Bacterial Meningitis
- Apgar Scores of 0-
4 at 1min or 0- 6 at 5min - Prematurity (less than 37 weeks)
- Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation (5 days or longer)
- Findings associated with a syndrome
- Head Trauma associated with loss of consciousness or skull fracture
- Exposure to potentially damaging noise levels
- Auditory Neuropathy
- Childhood fevers
- Mumps & Measles
- Otosclerosis
- Middle ear infections
Adolescents & Adults:
| Possible Causes | Basic Information |
|---|---|
| Wax (Cerumen) | A build-up of wax in the outer ear may stop sound from reaching the ear drum |
| Infection | Infection & inflammation in the outer ear (Otitis Externa) or middle ear (Otitis Media) |
| Hole in the eardrum (Perforation) | A hole in the ear drum may be caused by several things including trauma (Damage), pressure, ear surgery & infection |
| Glue Ear (Otitis media with effusion) | Inflammation in the middle ear with associated fluid filling the middle ear space around the ossicles. The fluid stops the ossicles & ear drum from moving effectively and stops from passing through to the inner ear |
| Inherited | May be caused by a syndrome or other genetic reasons |
| Problem with the small bones (Ossicles) in the ear (Otosclerosis) | Stiffening of the chain of small bones in the middle ear prevents sound from passing easily through to the inner ear |
| Bang on the head (Trauma) | May disrupt the small bones in the middle ear that transmit sound |
| Ear Surgery | May damage the ear drum or small bones in the middle ear stopping sound from passing easily through to the inner ear |
Sensori – Neural Hearing Loss:
| Possible Causes | Basic Information |
|---|---|
| Age (Presbyacusis) | Gradual deterioration in hearing commonly occuring for both ears in the high pitched sounds. Affects 1 in 7 people above the age of 65 |
| Meniere's Disease | Episodes of build-up of excess fluid in one part of the inner ear cause pressure that affects the hearing and balance organ. Typically affects one ear and causes a low pitch hearing loss which may fluctuate. May cause tinnitus in addition to hearing loss |
| Inherited | Can be attributed to many different syndromes or through other genetic causes. Causes a variety of degrees of hearing loss |
| Loud Noise (Noise induced hearing loss) | Permanent or temporary hearing loss caused by exposure to loud noises. This may either be a sudden very loud sound or repeated exposure to high levels of sounds |
| Benign Tumour (Acoustic Neuroma) | A benign tumour which compresses the hearing nerve, typically affecting high pitch hearing in one ear. Can be associated with tinnitus and inbalance |
| Infection Of Inner Ear | May be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Hearing loss likely to be of sudden onset and of a variety of severity |
| Bang On The Head (Trauma) | Fracture of skull may cause damage to cochlea or the hearing nerve |
| Ear Surgery | All surgery carries the risk of hearing loss due to trauma to the inner ear b y surgical instruments |
| Medicines That Are Toxic To The Ear (Ototoxic Medication) | Can cause temporary or permanent damage to the cochlea, typically affecting the high pitches. They may include lifesaving antibiotics and some chemotherapy drugs |
| Infectious Diseases Such As Meningitis | Diseases such as measles, mumps and meningitis can cause permanent hearing loss or varying degrees in the cochlea |
| Unknown Causes | If all other possible causes (including the above) have been excluded |
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