5 FACTS ABOUT CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS

1 Sound exposure

Prolonged exposure to loud noises can damage the tiny hairs inside your ears that communicate with the brain.

2 Ageing

As you get older, it can become more difficult to pick out highpitched noises from background noise. This is due to gradual wear and tear to the ears’ hairs and nerve cells.

3 Blockage

Sometimes hearing can be significantly reduced by blockages in the ear canal. Substances such as ear wax can block the route for sound waves.

4 Infection

Ear infections near the eardrum can cause a buildup of fluid next to it. This limits the ability of the eardrum to vibrate, hence limiting the sounds recorded.

5 Ruptured drum

Extreme changes in air pressure or sudden loud noises can create a hole in your eardrums. This not only causes pain, but impacts their function.