Deafness Causes & Risks

Causes

Deafness may occur at any age, from birth through old age.

The conditions that can cause or be associated with hearing loss include the following:

• Ear infections
• Middle ear fluid
• Earwax
• Hole in the ear drum (tympanic membrane perforation)
• Trauma may cause rupture of the tympanic membrane and disruption of the middle ear ossicles, or concussion of the inner ear
• Nose or throat problems, such as:
  • Nasal allergies
  • Sinus problems
  • Blockage of the eustachian tubes (tubes leading from the ears to the throat)
• Hereditary factors
• Birth defects
  • Trauma, injury, or fracture
• Noise
• Ear disorders, such as:
  • Otosclerosis
  • Meniere’s disease
• Infections, such as:
  • Viral infections
  • Mumps
• Bacterial infections, such as:
  • Syphilis
  • Meningitis
  • Otitis media
• Tumors involving the:
  • Ear
  • Brain
• Neurological disorders, such as:
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Stroke
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Ototoxic drugs (medications that damage the ear), such as:
  • Aspirin (usually reverses when aspirin is stopped)
  • Quinine (usually reverses when quinine is stopped)
  • Antibiotics: gentamicin, streptomycin, and neomycin (usually is not reversible after stopping drug)

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for deafness include:

• Premature birth
• Increasing age, for age-related hearing loss ( presbycusis )
• Taking ototoxic medications
• Exposure to loud noise on the job, such as:
  • Loud industrial noise
  • Use of heavy equipment
  • Being a musician
• Exposure to recreational loud noise, such as:
  • Guns (target practice)
  • Loud music
  • Family history of deafness