What Causes Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss is a common health problem that affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly reduce the quality of life. In such a case, you should immediately see a doctor in this field. You should not act according to what you read somewhere or hear from someone, you should definitely see an ENT doctor.
Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis)
Age-related hearing loss, medically known as presbycusis, is a gradual decrease in hearing ability with advancing age. This condition, although its frequency increases especially after the age of 40, affects a significant portion of individuals over the age of 65. Presbycusis occurs as a result of natural wear and tear and changes that develop with age in the inner ear and auditory nerves.
Typically, there is difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds (e.g. children's voices, bird sounds, some consonances). Difficulty in understanding speech becomes apparent especially in crowded environments or when there is background noise. Presbycusis usually affects both ears and progresses slowly over time. It may not be noticed in the early stages, but it is important to see a doctor when it starts to negatively affect daily life activities. Hearing aids and other rehabilitation methods can help manage the effects of age-related hearing loss.
It is especially common after the age of 40.
Changes affecting the inner ear and nerves develop with age.
It is also called presbycusis.
Difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds is a typical symptom.
It progresses gradually and usually affects both ears.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced hearing loss is a condition that occurs when the sensitive hair cells (hair cells) in the inner ear are damaged as a result of continuous or sudden exposure to high-intensity sounds. This is one of the most common preventable causes of hearing loss. Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels (dB) in particular poses a risk factor.
As an occupational disease, it is frequently seen in factory workers, construction workers, musicians, military personnel and other occupational groups working in loud environments. Sudden, very loud sounds, such as explosions or gunshots, can cause acute acoustic trauma and sudden hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss usually causes irreversible damage, and therefore protection is of great importance. Using personal protective equipment such as earplugs or earplugs is vital to protect hearing health in high-noise environments.
Infections and Diseases
Various infections and systemic diseases can directly or indirectly affect hearing functions and cause hearing loss. Long-term fluid accumulation in the middle ear (serous otitis or otitis media with effusion) is a common and important factor affecting hearing, especially in children. Acute and chronic middle ear infections (otitis media) can lead to perforations in the eardrum, ossicular damage and permanent hearing loss if left untreated.
Meniere's Disease
It affects the fluid pressure in the inner ear, causing sudden hearing loss, vertigo (head spinning), tinnitus and attacks of fullness in the ears.
Rubella and Mumps
A mother's rubella infection during the prenatal period or mumps during childhood can cause sensorineural hearing loss due to inner ear damage.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can target the inner ear as a result of the body's attack on its own tissues and can cause sudden or progressive hearing loss.
Other Infections
Bacterial or viral infections such as syphilis, HIV or meningitis can also affect the auditory nerves or the inner ear and cause hearing loss.
Congenital and Genetic Factors
A significant portion of hearing loss is congenital, and genetic factors play a major role in this condition. A family history of hearing loss can increase the risk of hearing loss in subsequent generations due to genetic inheritance. More than a hundred genes are known to cause hearing loss, and these genes can affect the development or functioning of the inner ear.
Genetic Causes
Syndromic (e.g. Usher Syndrome, Pendred Syndrome) or nonsyndromic (isolated hearing loss) genetically transmitted hearing loss.
A family history of genetic hearing loss may increase the risk.
Prenatal Factors
Infections such as rubella (rubella), toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) that the mother has during pregnancy may cause hearing loss in the fetus.
Certain medications or alcohol/substance use during pregnancy may also negatively affect the development of the auditory system.
Complications During Birth
Asphyxia, head trauma or severe jaundice (high bilirubin) during birth may cause hearing damage in newborns.
Premature birth or low birth weight are also factors that increase the risk of hearing loss.
Early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss is important for the child's language and speech development.
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