CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS IN ADULTS
There are two main types of hearing loss:
(1) sensorineural ("nerve"), when there is damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve
(2) conductive, when a problem such as ear infection, ear wax or a
disease process blocks the normal flow of sound to the inner ear.
Over 90% of hearing loss in adults is of the sensorineural type.
The most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss in older persons
is presbycusis, which is the deterioration of the hearing system associated with normal
aging and almost always can be helped with hearing aids. Some of the many other causes of
sensorineural hearing loss are exposure to loud noise, heredity, head injuries or taking
certain drugs.
Most conductive hearing losses, unlike presbycusis, are reversible with medical or surgical treatment. If you have a conductive hearing loss, your audiologist will refer you to an
otolaryngologist for treatment.
