CAUSES OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT: Dr. Nadeem Ghayas
December 11, 2024
Hearing impairment is a widespread health issue, which impacts millions of individuals throughout the globe. It may happen at any age and it can be mild hearing impairment or even total deafness. The causes of hearing impairment are significant to prevent the condition, detect it at an early stage, and treat it appropriately. This paper is a description of the reasons why people have hearing impairment using simple and professional terminology with references to research and world statistics of health.
Hearing impairment.
The hearing impairment is the partial or total inability to hear in one or both ears. The World Health Organization states that more than 430 million individuals in the world need rehabilitation due to disabling loss of hearing and this figure is projected to rise to more than 700 million by the year 2050 World Health Organization WHO, 2023.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing impairment is of three primary types:
Conductive hearing loss
This arises when there is an inability of sound to flow through the outer or middle ear correctly. It is usually brought about by ear infection, earwax, or ear drum injury.
Sensorineural hearing loss
The type is as a result of injury to the inner ear or the nerve of the ear. It is typically irreversible and can be caused due to old age, exposure to noise, or heredity.
Mixed hearing loss
It is a mixture of a conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
The World Statistics on Hearing Loss.
One of the key health issues in the population is hearing impairment. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, about 1-3 in every 1000 babies in the United States are born with a form of hearing loss CDC, 2022. Moreover, almost 15 percent of adults complain of a certain difficulty in hearing.
The low and middle income countries are more exposed to risks because they lack access to healthcare, untreated infections and screening programs.
Etiology of Hearing Impairment.
There are a lot of factors that can lead to hearing impairment. These reasons can be classified as congenital reasons, acquired reasons, environmental reasons, medical reasons and lifestyle reasons.
Hearing impairment as a Congenital condition.
Congenital hearing impairment is hearing impairment that occurs at birth.
Genetic factors
About 50 to 60 percent of all cases of congenital hearing loss have been attributed to genetic mutations National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders NIDCD, 2023. Deafness can also be lost without any family history.
Prenatal infections
During pregnancy, infections like rubella, cytomegalovirus, syphilis and toxoplasmosis have the potential to damage the developing auditory system.
Low birth weight and premature birth.
Premature newborns and those with low birth weight are at the risk of hearing loss.
Birth complications
The inner ear and the auditory nerve may be impacted by lack of oxygen during birth and serious jaundice in the newborns.
Causes of Hearing impairment acquired.
Acquired hearing loss occurs postnatally.
Ear infections
Referrals to the middle ear repeated infections otherwise known as otitis media may result in temporary or lasting hearing impairment when handled without medical attention.
Meningitis
The inner ear structures may be damaged and severely impaired by bacteria meningitis.
Head injuries
Ear structures or auditory nerve can be damaged in the case of head trauma.
Ototoxic medications
Some drugs like aminoglycoside antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and giving aspirin in high doses may destroy hearing.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
One of the most significant preventable causes of hearing impairment is exposure to high levels of noise.
Occupational noise
Employees at the factory, construction sites, airports and army facilities are at more risk.
Recreational noise
Hearing loud music through headphones, visiting concerts, and using fireworks may lead to hearing loss.
WHO says that more than 1 billion youths face risks of noise induced hearing loss caused by unsafe listening WHO, 2023.
Age Related Hearing Loss
The hearing loss is age related. It normally occurs in both ears and progresses slowly. According to the National Institute on Aging, hearing loss affects approximately one third of adults aged 65 to 74 years and almost half of adults aged 75 years and above National Institute on Aging, 2022.
The condition arises as a result of natural degeneration of hair cells in the inner ear.
Hearing impairment, Medical Conditions.
There are some cases of health conditions that are prone to hearing loss.
Diabetes
This is because high blood sugar levels may cause damage to blood vessels and nerves, which are in the inner ear.
Cardiovascular disease
Adequate circulation of blood may impact on the auditory system.
Autoimmune disorders
Progressive hearing loss may be caused by such conditions as autoimmune inner ear disease.
Tumors
Acoustic neuroma is a tumor that afflicts the auditory nerve and is harmless.
Earwax and Physical Clogging.
Earwax may be excessive and block the ear canal causing hearing impairment. This is normally temporary and curable.
Hearing problems may also result because of the presence of foreign objects in the ear particularly in children.
Structural Abnormalities
There are people who are born with defective ear structures which influence the ability to transmit sound. Other people can get the perforated ear drum as a result of an infection or injury.
Risk Factors to Hearing impairment.
There are some contributors that make one more susceptible to hearing loss.
Hearing problems in family history.
Cronic exposure to noisy sound.
Frequent ear infections
Smoking
The maternal health is poor during pregnancy.
Advanced age
Appreciation of such risk factors may be used in early prevention.
Early Signs and Symptoms
It is significant to notice the first symptoms of hearing loss.
Problem with speech comprehension.
Asking people to repeat many times.
Raising the volume of the television.
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears.
Language delay in children.
The early screening programs are used to detect the hearing issues in children and newborns.
Prevention of Hearing Lesion.
There are numerous causes of hearing impairment which are avoidable.
Vaccination
Infection related hearing loss may be prevented by immunization against rubella and meningitis.
Safe listening practices
Wear ear protection in a noisy place. Adhere to the 60 60 principle of headphones that is to listen to the music on 60% volume no longer than 60 minutes at once.
Proper ear care
Do not put anything in the ear canal.
Regular hearing checkups
Timely treatment can be achieved through early detection.
WHO estimates that close to 60 percent of childhood hearing loss may be avoided by public health measures WHO, 2023.
Diagnosis and Medical assessment.
Hearing impairment is identified due to hearing analysis, including the pure tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions test.
In most countries, newborn hearing screening is encouraged to detect early cases of congenital hearing loss.
Audiologist or ear nose and throat specialist tries an elaborate testing to establish the kind and the reason of hearing loss.
Treatment and Management Options.
The treatment is dependent on the cause.
Hearing aids
Cochlear implants
Infection medical or surgical care.
Removal of earwax
Speech therapy for children
Early intervention results in better communication and quality of life.
Effect of Hearing Deficiency on normal life.
Hearing impairment may not be treated and this may impact education, employment and social relationship. Hearing impaired children can have a slow language development. The adults might experience social isolation and depression.
According to the World Health Organization, the cost of unaddressed hearing loss to the global economy amounts to almost 1 trillion dollars per year because of healthcare expenses as well as loss of productivity WHO, 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions Causes of Hearing impairment.
What is the most prevalent cause of hearing impairment?
The age related hearing loss and noise induced hearing loss are the most prevalent causes.
Is the hearing impairment a condition that is curable?
Others like hearing loss because of earwax or infection can be corrected. Hearing loss is considered to be sensorineural and is typically permanent though it can be treated using hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Does hearing impairment have a genetic basis?
Yes. Genetic factors cause about half of cases of congenital hearing loss NIDCD, 2023.
How can I protect my hearing?
It is recommended to avoid noisy activities, wear ear protection, maintain low volume levels, and refer to the doctor in case of ear infection.
Are children able to overgrow hearing impairment?
There are cases of temporary hearing disorders as a result of ear fluid, which can subside on their own, and that hearing loss is permanent and needs to be handled by the medical community.
Conclusion
It is imperative to know the factors that cause hearing impairment in order to prevent, identify it at the earliest opportunity and treat it. The causes of hearing loss may be genetic factors, infections, exposure to noise, aging, medical conditions as well as environmental factors. There are numerous reasons that can be avoided by vaccination, safe listening activities, and regular health examination. Through early intervention and proper care, the deaf can have a productive and satisfying life.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Statistical information on hearing loss in children. The source is not specified, but it may have been retrieved at the website of the United States of America, Centers of Disease and Strategy, on 30th November 2015.
National Institute on Aging. 2022. Age related hearing loss. Accessed at the site of the National Institute of Arthritis.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. 2023. Rapid facts on hearing. The information has been retrieved on 25 February 2019, at the site of the National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disabilities.
World Health Organization. 2023. World report on hearing. Accessed on 23 January 2017.