Hearing Loss Causes & Reasons - What to Avoid

The sense of hearing is something that people tend to take for granted. Just like walking, hearing is something that many of us do each and every day. We hear the music that is playing on the radio, we hear the kids jabbering in the back seat, we hear the weather man report the forecast. Almost like breathing, we do not think about hearing regularly; in fact it is only when a problem has arisen that the function even crosses our minds.

Hearing loss can happen in a person of any gender, any age, any race. Although hearing loss does tend to be more prevalent in older Caucasian men, there is not always a cut and dry reason for its occurrence. Hearing loss can be sudden or gradual, short-term or long-term.

• Difficulty understanding a person speak, particularly when background noise is present
• Inability to hear the television
• A habit of asking someone to speak up
• Avoidance of social activities due to the lack of capacity in recognizing speech
• A tendency to look at a person's mouth as they speak so that you may better understand the words being spoken

• Excessive noise
• Earwax impaction
• Bacterial infection
• Injury or trauma
• Autoimmune disorders
• Aging
• Medication toxicity
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association The ASHA explains the various reasons that cause people to lose their hearing.
• Georgetown University Prevalence of hearing loss among the population of the United States.
• The Journal of the American Medical Association Determining hearing loss in an adult.
• Better Hearing Institute The reasons behind the loss of a person's hearing.
• Palo Alto Medical Foundation Types of hearing loss with reference to common causes.
• Ohio State University Extension How sound affects the nerve impulses associated with hearing loss.
• Hearing Loss Association of America A “frequently asked questions” guide to help you understand the facts about hearing loss.
• Help Kids Hear Adults are not the only ones who suffer from hearing loss, children are also at risk. This site explains hearing loss in children.
• American Hearing Research Foundation Hearing Loss and Its Causes
• Gallaudet University Causes of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss as sited by the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center.
• Kids Health Specifically for children, an article on hearing loss—including glossary words and information on communication for the hearing impaired.

• having your hearing checked regularly
• giving your ears the rest—you should not consistently expose them to sound without a break
• keeping cotton swabs, fingers and other objects of the ear canal
• being mindful of your overall health
• How Loud Music Damages Your Ears A comparison of noise levels as well as a guide that walks you through hearing loss.
• UC Davis Health System What to avoid for healthy hearing.
• University of Rochester Medical Center How to reduce or avoid losing your hearing.
• Proper Use of Headphones An article explaining how headphones can prevent hearing loss.