If you are not able to hear as well as you used to, you might be suffering from hearing loss. There are three main types of hearing loss you might have: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. The causes and treatments vary slightly based on the type of hearing loss. Conducive hearing loss occurs when there are problems with the ear drum, middle ear, or the ear canal. If you have problems with the inner ear or nerve-related hearing loss, that is known as sensorineural hearing loss. Lastly, there is mixed hearing loss, which is a combination of these factors.

Causes and Risk Factors

A variety of factors can contribute to hearing loss, whether it is gradual or sudden. The most common causes include:

Damage or injury – If there is damage or injury to the inner ear, it could lead to hearing loss. This could be from loud noises, aging, or damage to the nerve cells of the cochlea, which send signals to the brain for sound. Hearing high-pitched noises over a long period of time also constitutes as hearing loss from damage.

Ear infections, growths or tumors – Conditions that affect the ear, such as an infection of the middle or outer ear, or tumors or bone growths in or around the ear, can also affect your hearing. This may be temporary or permanent hearing loss depending on the severity of the condition.

Build-up of earwax – This is a type of temporary hearing loss that is corrected when the earwax build-up is removed. Some people are susceptible to this type of hearing loss due to very small ear canals that cause blockage much more easily.

Ruptured eardrum – If a very loud noise or intense change in pressure causes a rupturing of your eardrum, it can lead to temporary hearing loss.

The risk factors for hearing loss are: age, heredity, recreational or occupational noises, illnesses, and medications.

Treatment Options

If you are experiencing hearing loss, you have a variety of treatment options to choose from. The first type of treatment includes medication and in-office treatments, such as antibiotics for an ear infection, treatment of your outer ear tumor, or have wax build-up removed.

For hearing loss that is long-term or permanent, you can get a hearing aid. There are many different hearing aids that help with different levels of hearing loss or deafness. Some are worn outside the ear, while others are worn in the ear canal. If you don't want to use a hearing aid, you can ask about a cochlear implant for long-term hearing loss or deafness.

For more information, contact a clinic such as Cape May County Hearing Aid Dispensary.