Hearing
Loss

Hearing loss is the inability to receive the sounds for one or more years. It usually occurs when getting old or the ear got hurt.

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Ear's Inner Structure

What causes it?

Damage to the inner ear. Aging and the effect of loud and high pitch noise may damaged the hairs and nerve cells in the cochlea, causing the failure to send electrical signals to the brain.
Ear infection and abnormal bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.
Ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation). Loud and sudden noises and pressure to the eardrum can cause the rupture, which harms the hearing ability.
Heredity. The genetic makeup decided the hearing ability as the age increases.
Medications. Drugs such as the antibiotic gentamicin, sildenafil (Viagra) and certain chemotherapy drugs, can damage the inner ear.
Illnesses. Diseases or illnesses that result in high fever, such as meningitis, may damage the cochlea.

How to prevent it?

Decreasing the duration and volumes of the sound. Try to avoid staying besides the loud sounds for too long.
Having hearing tested. Regularly take the test to check if there show any problems.
Avoid recreational risks. Try to avoid the activities as riding a snowmobile, hunting, using power tools or listening to rock concerts.

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Any treatment?

Surgical procedures. Taking the surgery such as abnormalities of the eardrum or bones of hearing (ossicles). Doctor may also insert small tubes that help ears drain.
Hearing aids. Having the fit hearing aids as shown from the graphs above can help with receiving more sounds.
Cochlear implants. It can directly stimulates the hearing nerve, which is more efficient than hearing aids.

Reference