Hearing Loss or Hearing Impairment is the partial or total inability to hear speech and other forms of sounds. It may occur in one or both of the ears. It is a result of problems in the ear parts or nerves connecting the ears or malfunctioning of the brain part which controls the hearing process. People suffering from hearing loss may be able to hear some sounds or nothing at all.

Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be categorised into three types-

• Conductive Hearing Loss wherein the sound vibrations fail to reach the inner ear, specifically the cochlea(portion of inner ear), due to problems in the outer or middle ear.
• Sensorineural Hearing Loss which occurs by the dysfunctioning of the inner ear, cochlea, auditory nerve or damage to the brain. This prevents sounds from reaching the brain.
• Mixed Hearing Loss which is the combination of the above two problems. It can be due to long-lasting ear infections which damages the eardrum and ear bones (ossicles).

Causes of Hearing Loss

The most common causes of hearing loss include constant exposure to loud noises, persistent ear infections, congenital (birth) defects, genetic factors and side-effects of medications especially chemotherapy or other drugs used for treating cancer.

Specific Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss

• Malformation of the ear structure
• Allergies
• Improper functioning of the Eustachian Tube which controls pressure within the middle ear
• Middle ear or Ear Canal Infections with pus formation or fluid collection
• Eardrum perforation
• Wax Deposit
• Dislocation of the ossicles
• Presence of foreign particles in the ear canal
• Otosclerosis wherein there is abnormal bone growth in the middle ear 
• Tumours

Specific Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Presbycusis(Aging factor)
• Heredity(Genetic Factors)
• Head  Injury or Trauma
• Excessive exposure to noise
• Viral infections such as Measles or Mumps
• Other infections like Shingles and Meningitis
• Harmful effects of Ototoxic drugs
• Chronic conditions like Diabetes, Stroke, High Blood Pressure
• Malformation or Auto Immune Disease of the inner ear
• Very high fever
• Ménière's disease  which affects the inner ear causing Vertigo(balancing problems)
• Presence of Acoustic Tumours
• Unhealthy  habits like smoking or adverse health conditions like obesity

Hearing Loss Treatment

Based on the cause and severity of hearing loss, the following treatment options are available -

• Cochlear Implant – These implants are surgically inserted in patients where there is irreversible hair cell damage caused in the cochlea. It consists of a microphone, a speech processor and a transmitter at the exterior and a receiver, simulator and electrodes at the interior. Cochlear implants improve speech comprehension.
• Hearing Aids – These are wearable devices that assist in hearing by amplifying sound. It consists of a battery, amplifier, loudspeaker and microphone. Types of Hearing Aids include Behind the Ear (BTE), In the Canal (ITC), Completely in the Canal (CIC) and Bone Conduction. Many discreet and tiny models are available today which fit inside the ear. However, hearing aids cannot be used by patients with acute hearing loss.

Effects of Hearing Loss

Hearing is an important sense of the human body that plays a profound role on the quality of living. Hearing loss impacts all aspects of life including emotional well-being, physical health, careers and socialization. Untreated hearing loss further bears negative effects on cognitive and memory abilities leading to increased risk of injuries and falls, depression, anxiety, hospitalization, social isolation and even dementia. Hence it is important to consult ENT doctors (ENT - Ear Nose Throat) at the earliest to seek treatment for this problem.

Do not neglect hearing loss. Timely treatment ensures better physical and mental health with improved self-control, communication, emotional stability and social participation.