Acquired hearing loss is the loss of hearing ability which happens any time after birth.
The causative factors for such acquired hearing loss could be a disease, injury or other related conditions. Conditions that causes acquired hearing loss in children are -
Ear infections (otitis media)
Ototoxic (damaging to the auditory system) drugs
Influenza
Mumps
Head injury
Noise exposure
Meningitis
Chicken pox
Measles
Encephalitis
Some conditions that cause hearing loss in adults can be explained as follows -
Meniere's disease - This disease affects the inner ear causing deafness.
Dizziness (vertigo) and ringing in the ear (tinnitus) are among the other effects of this condition.
Ostosclerosis - Ostosclerosis is a disease that affects the middle ear region, specifically the movement of the stapes.
Acoustic Neuroma - Acoustic neuroma is a tumor, the occurrence of which can cause hearing loss.
Presbycusis - Degeneration of inner ear and other parts of the auditory system due to aging can cause loss of hearing.
Trauma - Trauma such as fracture of the temporal bone, puncture of eardrum by foreign objects or sudden changes in air pressure can cause hearing loss.
Ototoxic drugs - Medicines used to treat certain diseases can cause damage to the auditory system resulting in hearing loss.
High noise levels - Noise-induced hearing loss is caused on exposure to high levels of noise. It begins with damage to the hair cells in the cochlea leading to permanent hearing loss.
Acoustic trauma or even a single exposure to very high sound level can cause deafness.
Hearing impairment can be classified into three main categories - prelingual, perilingual and postlingual, depending on if the hearing loss has occurred before, during or after the development of language and speech.
In most cases, acquired hearing loss can be tackled successfully using good quality hearing aids.
Well-chosen and custom fitted hearing aid can hugely improve life for the hearing impaired. The type of hearing aid prescribed depends on the severity of the hearing loss.
