Hearing Loss
(Deafness)

Medical Author: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR

• What are forms of hearing loss?
• What are other classifications of hearing loss?
• What is the treatment for hearing loss?

What are forms of hearing loss?

Hearing loss, or deafness, can be present at birth (congenital), or become evident later in life (acquired). The distinction between acquired and congenital deafness specifies only the time that the deafness appears. It does not specify whether the cause of the deafness is genetic (inherited).

Acquired deafness may or may not be genetic. For example, it may be a manifestation of a delayed-onset form of genetic deafness. Alternatively, acquired deafness may be due to damage to the ear from noise.

Congenital deafness similarly may or may not be genetic. For example, it may be associated with a white forelock, and be caused by a genetic disease called Waardenburg syndrome. In fact, more than half of congenital hearing loss is inherited. Alternatively, congenital deafness may be due to a condition or infection to which the mother was exposed during pregnancy, such as the rubella virus.

What are other classifications of hearing loss?

Hearing loss can also be classified based on which portions of the hearing system (auditory system) are affected. When the nervous system is affected, it is referred to as sensorineural hearing loss. When the portions of the ear that are responsible for transmitting the sound to the nerves are affected, it is referred to as conductive hearing loss.

Conditions affecting the cochlea, eighth cranial nerve, spinal cord, or brain cause sensorineural hearing loss. Examples include:

• Meniere's disease,
• hearing loss of aging (presbycusis),
• nerve injury from syphilis,
• hearing loss of unknown cause (idiopathic hearing loss),
• nerve tumors and;
• drug toxicity (such as aspirin and aminoglycosides).

Conditions that affect the ear canal, eardrum (tympanic membrane), and middle ear lead to conductive hearing loss. Examples of conductive hearing loss include:

• ear wax blocking the ear canal,
• otitis media and;
• otosclerosis.

What is the treatment for hearing loss?

The treatment of hearing loss depends on its cause. For example:

• ear wax can be removed,
• ear infection can be treated with medications,
• medications that are toxic to the ear can be avoided and;
• occasionally surgical procedures are necessary.

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