deafness
a partial or complete loss of hearing. The deafness may be temporary or permanent, conductive or sensory, congenital or acquired. Congenital hearing loss is not a common cause. In many cases, the loss is because of a problem in the cochlea, the auditory nerve or brain - nerve deafness. This is common condition in the elderly although no particular cause can be identified. Other causes include exposure to industrial noise or explosions. Conductive hearing loss is the result of poor transmission of sound waves to the inner ear, possibly because of OTITIS , which can cause middle ear inflammation and perforation of the eardrum. This latter condition can be treated by surgery or helped by the use of a hearing aid. See also RINNE'S TEST ; WEBER'S TEST .
It's frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They can often be helped. Deafness can keep you from hearing sound at all.
What causes hearing loss? Some possibilities are:
- Heredity
- Diseases such as ear infections and meningitis
- Trauma
- Certain medicines
- Long-term exposure to loud noise
- Aging
There are two main types of hearing loss. One happens when your inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type is usually permanent. The other kind happens when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear. Earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum can cause it. Treatment or surgery can often reverse this kind of hearing loss.
Untreated, hearing problems can get worse. If you have trouble hearing, you can get help. Possible treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medicines, and surgery.
NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
deafness