Hearing loss

• osteogenesis imperfecta
• Leopard syndrome (multiple lentigines )
• otosclerosis
• Robinson type ectodermal dysplasia
• Cockayne syndrome
• Bjorn pili torti & deafness syndrome
• Multiple synostosis syndrome
• Hunter syndrome
• Taybi oto-palato-digital syndrome
• hereditary nephritis
• Mohr syndrome
• Hurler syndrome
• Waardenburg syndrome
• Kartagener syndrome
• Fronto-metaphyseal dysplasia syndrome
• Morquio syndrome
• Trisomy 13 S
• Multiple lentigines syndrome
• Treacher Collins syndrome
• Stickler syndrome

Congenital:

• Rubella syndrome
• congenital atresia of the external auditory canal
• Congenital cytomegalovirus
• congenital perilymphatic fistula
• Fetal methyl mercury effects
• Fetal iodine deficiency effects

Infectious:

• meningitis
• mumps
• measles
• otitis media
• scarlet fever
• ossicular discontinuity
• adhesive otitis

Occupational:
Any occupation with chronic exposure to loud noises on a continuous day-to-day basis can result in hearing loss due to nerve end damage. Increased attention to conditions in the work environment has markedly decrease the likelihood of work-related hearing loss. (See occupational hearing loss .)

Traumatic:

• traumatic perforation of the eardrum
• skull fracture (temporal bone)
• acoustic trauma such as from explosions, fireworks , gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones
• barotrauma (differences in pressure)

Toxic:

• aminoglycoside antibiotics
• ethacrynic acid - oral
• aspirin
• chloroquine
• quinidine

Aging:

• age-related hearing loss ( presbycusis )

Other:

• Meniere's disease
• acoustic neuroma

TEMPORARY (OR SOMETIMES PERMANENT) HEARING LOSS

• the build-up of wax in the ear canal(s)
• foreign body lodged in the ear canal
• injury to the head
• allergy
• blocked Eustachian tubes
• scarred or perforated eardrum
• ear infections ( otitis externa - chronic, otitis media - chronic, otitis externa; malignant )
• reaction to medication such as aminoglycosides, chloroquine, quinidine

Note: There may be other causes of hearing loss. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for hearing loss, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Wax build-up can frequently be flushed out of the ear (gently) with ear syringes (available in drug stores) and warm water. Wax softeners (like Cerumenex) may be needed if the wax is hard and impacted.

Care should be taken when removing foreign bodies. Unless it is easily accessible, have your health care provider remove the object. Don't use sharp instruments to remove foreign bodies.

A hearing aid can be helpful in coping with hearing loss caused by nerve damage.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

• hearing problems are persistent and unexplained
• hearing problems adversely affect lifestyle
• there is association with other symptoms such as ear pain

What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting hearing loss in detail may include:

• distribution
  • Is the hearing loss in both ears (bilateral)?
  • Is it in one ear only (unilateral)?

• quality
  • Is the hearing loss mild or severe?
  • Is all of the hearing lost (inability to hear any sound)?
  • decreased hearing acuity?
  • decreased ability to understand speech?
  • decreased ability to locate the source of a sound?

• time pattern
  • How long has the hearing loss been present?
  • Did it occur before age 30?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there tinnitus (ringing or other sounds)?
  • Is there ear pain ?

The physical examination will include a detailed examination of the ears.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• audiometry (an electronic hearing test )
• auditory response test
• CT scan of the head (if a tumor or fracture is suspected)
• X-ray of the head
• tympanometry
• caloric test
• MRI of the ear (see MRI of the head )

Intervention:
A hearing aid or cochlear implant may be provided to improve hearing.

After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to hearing loss, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.


This is an illustration of the external, middle, and inner ear. The detailed section is of the eardrum and the three tiny bones that conduct sound from the drum to the cochlea.