2.4: Hearing Loss

Understanding Sound From Ear to Engineer · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-SA 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Hearing Loss

    Hearing loss can be sudden or gradual, and it affects millions of people worldwide. It is categorized into three types:

    Types of Hearing Loss:

    Table of hearing loss types, causes and area affected.

    Type

    Cause

    Affected Area

    Conductive

    Blockage (wax, fluid, bone damage

    Outer/Middle ear

    Sensorineural

    Damage to cochlea or auditory nerve

    Inner ear

    Mixed

    Mix of conductive and sensorineural

    Both

    Causes of Hearing Loss:

    • Aging (Presbycusis): Most common cause of hearing decline over time.
    • Noise Exposure: Prolonged loud sound damages the hair cells (stereocilia).
    • Infections: Chronic ear infections can damage ear structures.
    • Ototoxic Medications: Certain drugs harm the inner ear.
    • Genetics: Inherited condition affecting ear development.
    • Injury or Trauma: Head injuries can damage hearing pathways.

    This page titled 2.4: Hearing Loss was last modified on Fri, 01 May 2026 02:54:48 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Geoffrey Dunbar.