Causes of hearing loss
Hearing impairment occurs when there is a problem with one or more parts of the ear. The most common causes of hearing loss are:

Acoustic neuroma - a noncancerous tumor on the nerve that helps people hear.

Age - also called "presbycusis", hearing loss caused by aging occurs as the nerves and cells of the inner ear change to provoke gradual but steady hearing loss. Age caused hearing loss may be mild or severe, but it is always permanent.

Ear infection - middle ear infections (otitis media), inflammation of the inner ear (otitis interna) or an infection of the ear canal (otitis externa or swimmer's ear) can cause hearing loss.

Earwax buildup

Fluid in the middle ear - ear fluid can be occur during a cold or the flu, or after traveling on an airplane.

Injury to the ear or head - head injuries can damage the structures in the ear and cause a sudden hearing loss.

Ménière's disease - Ménière's disease may result in temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Noise - noise-induced hearing loss most often develops gradually over many years. Over time, the noise experienced at work, during recreation, or even during common household chores can lead to hearing loss.

Noncancerous growths in the ear canal - exostoses, osteomas, and glomus tumors can cause hearing loss if they block the ear canal. A glomus tumor that occurs elsewhere in the head can also affect hearing.

Object in the ear

Otosclerosis - this condition affects the bones of the middle ear.

Ototoxic medicines - certain antibiotics and other substances (such as arsenic, mercury, tin, lead, and manganese) can damage the ear and lead to hearing impairment.

Timpanosclerosis - a condition in which the eardrum becomes harder and looses its ability to vibrate.

Risk factors
Risk factors may not be a direct cause of a particular medical condition, but seem to be associated with its development in some way. Some of the risk factors for hearing loss include:

• aging
• gender - men are more likely to experience hearing loss than women
• heredity
• medications -exposure to ototoxic drugs or medications
• other medical conditions - diabetes, heart, thyroid, or circulation problems, reoccurring ear infections, constant ringing in the ears, and/or dizziness can increase the likelihood of hearing loss

Hearing loss occurs can occur suddenly or over time.  But how can you be sure that you are experiencing hearing loss?  Learn to identify the symptoms of hearing loss by reading the next section on Hearing Loss Symptoms here.