Many people aware of their hearing ability slowly deteriorating usually assume that it is a normal part of life, just like how their vision may worsen. Sure, aging may cause hearing loss, but there are a bunch of other causes for it that can be avoided to maintain one’s hearing ability. Some of these causes are medical conditions, some of which you can avoid to protect your hearing.
That being said, here are some of the medical conditions that are known to cause hearing loss:
1. Tinnitus
This is by far one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Tinnitus is believed to be caused by a number of factors, including infections and even excessive exposure to loud noises. This condition will give you a ringing in your ears and make it hard for you to concentrate on the things that you want.
2. Otosclerosis
This is a condition wherein the middle ear starts to lose its ability to transmit sound waves. It does not necessarily cause hearing loss, but it makes people unaware of the noises around them.
3. Meniere’s Disease
This disorder will cause balance issues and hearing loss, along with dizziness. It is believed to be caused by the blockage of the endolymphatic duct, eventually causing fluid accumulation in the inner ear.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that is known to cause nerve degeneration and hearing impairment. This is caused by the excessive glucose in the blood, which eventually leads to the deterioration of the nerve cells that help transmit sound signals.
5. Ototoxic Medications
This is a condition wherein your ears are hypersensitive to sound and makes it hard for you to listen to what you want. It is caused by the use of certain types of drugs, mostly antibiotics and those used to treat allergies.
6. Allergic Rhinitis
This is a common condition wherein the person will get frequent nose and sinus infections. Because the sinuses are connected to the inner ear, the ear canal, and the bones in your face, this condition will affect the entire ear.
7. Menopause
The drop in estrogen levels during menopause is known to cause bone degeneration in the ears. This is why you will notice hearing difficulties in older women.
8. High Blood Pressure
Having high blood pressure will make a person more vulnerable to hearing difficulties. When the arteries in the ear become hard, they will eventually lose their ability to function properly.
9. Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders are those that will make the immune system overreact in the body. These include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and sarcoidosis.
10. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
A dysfunction in the Eustachian tube will cause the problems that you experience when you go up in an airplane. If you feel that your ears are popping every time you move up, then it is a sign that you have a dysfunction in your ears.
Conclusion
There are a lot of other causes for hearing loss. Fortunately, you can avoid most of these by doing the things that you need to do to maintain your health and wellness. Include healthy foods in your diet instead of those that will increase your risk of hearing loss. Limit your exposure to loud sounds, and you will have a better chance at preventing hearing loss.
Hear More Associates Enterprise offers the most trusted hearing care specialists to help individuals regain their hearing ability once more. If you are looking for the best hearing specialists in Massachusetts, get in touch with us today!
