5 Common Causes of Hearing Loss

But the data suggests that hearing health is important for everyone to proactively manage, especially in an era when people are exposed to more potentially-damaging loud noises than ever before. Research from the World Health Organization estimates that, by 2050, a quarter of the world’s population will have some degree of hearing loss. In this post, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the most common causes of the condition, including menopause, medical condition complications, and physical trauma. 

Exposure to Loud Noises

Ears are sensitive and are liable to experience lasting damage if exposed to loud noises. This can happen all at once following exposure to a single loud noise (such as a gunshot) or over time, following repeated exposure to excessively loud sounds. Many people underestimate how damaging repeated exposure to loud noises, such as listening to music at loud volumes or attending concerts, can be to their hearing health. Listening to music at lower volumes and wearing hearing protection when in loud environments (such as at concerts or in loud workspaces) can prevent this type of hearing loss. 

Age-Related Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss is a common cause of hearing loss, especially among those sixty and older. Over time, the hair cells in the inner ear experience natural wear and tear and are unable to regenerate. 

Around two-thirds of people over the age of seventy have some degree of age-related hearing loss. Some people are more susceptible to loss than others, such as those who have had repeated exposure to loud noises, those with oxidative stress, and individuals with certain genetic factors. Since this type of hearing loss is so common, it’s generally recommended that people over the age of sixty get their hearing tested once a year, or when they start showing hearing loss symptoms. 

Menopause

Of all the common causes of hearing loss, menopause is among the youngest on the list. New research has unearthed a previously unknown link between menopause and hearing changes, suggesting that the hormonal changes experienced during menopause can influence how the brain processes sound. It’s believed that the decrease in estrogen, which plays a vital role in supporting inner ear functionality, may play a role. 

Medical Conditions

A wide range of medical conditions can contribute to hearing loss. Some of the most common include Ménière’s disease, which is a disorder of the inner ear, otosclerosis, and a number of infections, including mumps, measles, and meningitis. It’s also believed that certain chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can also cause hearing loss by damaging the inner ear’s blood vessels.

Physical Trauma

Finally, physical trauma, such as head injury or whiplash, has been shown to cause hearing loss. Another common cause of hearing loss is a ruptured eardrum, which can occur when the ear experiences trauma, such as being hit too hard (for instance, by a hand) or by inserting a foreign object, such as a Q-tip, too far into the ear.