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Common Hearing Problems

Our ears capture sound waves. The sound waves travel into the middle ear, where they vibrate the eardrum and the middle ear bones. The sound waves pass through the inner ear and encounter the cochlea, which converts the sound waves into electrical signals. These signals then enter the brain through the auditory nerve. Common hearing problems, such as hearing loss and deafness, occur when damage or abnormal growth interrupts the proper function of the ear.

  1. Blocked Sound Waves

    • One type of hearing loss happens when earwax, fluid from an infection or a perforated eardrum block sound waves from entering the inner ear, according to WomensHealth.gov. The result is decreased hearing ability. Doctors treat earwax buildup with drops, jets of water or by using special tools to remove it. Infections and damaged eardrums require immediate medical attention.

    Otosclerosis

    • Otosclerosis occurs when a bone in the middle ear grows abnormally, causing hearing loss, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Depending on which bone experiences the abnormal growth, otosclerosis may either cause a conductive hearing loss (a hearing problem between the outer and middle ear) or damage to the inner ear's sensory cells and/or the nerve fibers, according to the NIH. Scientists are still unsure about what causes otosclerosis. The NIH says some symptoms are gradual hearing loss, dizziness, balance problems or tinnitus (roaring, clicking, ringing or hissing sounds). Possible treatments are surgery to implant a prosthetic device that bypasses the problem area, or use of a hearing aid.

    Hearing Loss Due to Noise

    • The inner ear has tiny hairs that vibrate to create electrical signals. Loud noise can kill the hairs by causing them to bend too far. The result is hearing loss or deafness. Your body cannot grow these hairs back, so the condition is typically permanent, according to Baylor College of Medicine. To prevent this type of hearing loss, protect your ears if you are working with loud equipment and always avoid noise sources over 75 decibels. A typical conversation is 60 decibels and city traffic is 85 decibels, according to the NIH.

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