Hearing Loss Caused By Chemicals That Damage The Ear

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Similar to a house, as time goes by the body starts to get worn out and simple things like the senses and body functions start to have problems. When parts of the ears, like the outer ear, the cochlea or even the eardrum is damaged or just breaks down a person will experience what is called hearing loss. Learning more about the source of hearing loss, what causes it and what can prevent it is best learnt while a person is still young.

Being deaf and not being able to hear, whether from birth or not is considered hearing loss. But the term hearing loss, by definition, also means hearing but just not hearing too well. Common causes of hearing loss are discussed in the following paragraphs and it is best to take note of these.

Birth defects has to be one of the most common causes of hearing loss as 3 in every 1,000 babies are born with it. Blame it on the genes, religion or what have you, a person who has improperly formed inner ear, hearing nerves or any other ear part will experience hearing loss. The best way to understand the problem more is to go see a physician who is an expert in otology.

The human body has a programming code called genetics, DNA or what have you and this will affect whether a person has hearing loss or not. There have been studies wherein the genes that cause hearing loss can be passed down to future generations. The extent of hearing loss depends on the genes and can range from complete hearing impairment to even no problems at all.

Contracting a disease or illness can also affect a person?s hearing and could lead to temporary or even permanent hearing loss. Diseases such as meningitis, mumps, otosclerosis and measles are known to affect either auditory nerve or parts of the ear itself. The effect of the disease on the person?s hearing depends and can be temporary or in extreme cases permanent.

Ironically, medication used to cure an illness or disease can be the culprit when it comes to hearing loss. Medications can sometimes reversibly affect hearing and at other times cause irreversible damage. And it doesn?t take rare or out of this world medications to do this, as aspirin is suspected to induce loss of hearing too.

Some chemicals can make hearing loss a reality in some people and these are what are called ototoxic chemicals. The meaning of ototoxic is something being harmful and causing damage to the inner ear, outer ear, nerves to name a few. Under this group are some solvents, pesticides, solutions and the best way to avoid being affected by these is by avoiding the chemicals completely.

Trauma is another very common source of why hearing loss occurs in a person. Falling down a staircase, hitting your head from contact sports can all lead to hearing disorders such as tinnitus or loss of hearing permanently or temporarily. Noise pollution in the form of loud music playing in the car stereo or using headphones to play really loud music can also lead to hearing impairment.

There are many more reasons and causes to hearing loss. If you only had one thing to take from this article it is to always take care of your hearing. Prevention is the best medicine for hearing loss.

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