Causes of hearing loss…

The Outer Ear..Typical conditions which may lead to hearing loss include excessive build up of earwax and infections in the ear canal.  The Middle Ear..Perforation of the eardrum, infection or fluid in the middle ear are the most common causes of hearing loss in the middle ear. Most outer and middle ear problems can be treated by the doctor. When treatment is not effective, the remaining hearing loss can usually be helped by using hearing aids. This type of hearing loss is called conductive hearing loss. The inner ear..The majority of hearing problems result from damage to the inner ear. Typical causes are the natural aging process, excessive exposure to noise, medication that is toxic to the auditory system and head injuries. Generally, hearing loss resulting from inner ear damage cannot be reversed by medical treatment, but can be improved with the use of hearing aids. This type of hearing loss is called sensorineural hearing loss. Most hearing loss is gradual and you may not realize you are having trouble at first. You may hear some sounds but other sounds may be harder to hear. This makes communication challenging. People with hearing loss often say, “I can hear, but I don’t understand.” An audiologist can tell you whether you have a hearing loss and recommend the best course of action.