Understanding the Causes of Hearing Loss and How to Prevent It

Hearing loss is a condition that can affect anyone, from newborns to the elderly. Moses Ayodele Akinola, an ear, nose, and throat specialist from Nigeria, discusses various factors that impact hearing and lead to hearing loss.

Akinola made these remarks following World Hearing Day, observed annually on March 3. This day raises awareness of the importance of hearing and highlights issues related to hearing health worldwide.

Signs of Hearing Issues

Akinola emphasizes several symptoms that may indicate the onset of hearing problems:

• Difficulty understanding what others are saying during conversations.
• Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
• Hearing better when the speaker raises their voice.
• Increasing the volume of the television or radio.
• Experiencing ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears.
• Perceiving certain sounds as excessively loud in one ear.

Indicators in Children:

For infants, some signs to watch for include:

• Not being startled by loud sounds.
• Failing to turn toward sounds before four months old.
• Not saying any words by one year of age.
• Recognizing faces but not responding to their name.
• Hearing some sounds but not others.
• Failing to mimic simple sounds or words by 12 months.

Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can result from a variety of factors, including aging, exposure to loud noises, ear infections, injuries, certain medications, and genetics. As individuals age, natural wear and tear on the inner ear and nerve fibers can lead to hearing loss.

Prolonged or repeated exposure to loud sounds can damage sensitive cells in the inner ear, causing hearing impairment. Ear infections, whether internal or middle-ear, can result in swelling, fluid buildup, or debris that obstructs sound waves from reaching the inner ear.

Akinola also mentions that what happens during pregnancy can affect a child's hearing. For instance, if the mother used medication or the baby suffered from an abnormal condition that led to hearing loss, the child’s hearing might be affected. Another example is newborns born with jaundice. In such cases, immediate medical intervention is critical to prevent the condition from spreading to the brain.

Some children are born with hearing impairments due to genetic mutations or might experience hearing loss later in life because of their genetic makeup.

Excess earwax buildup can block the ear canal and prevent sound waves from reaching the inner ear. In certain instances, hearing loss may be present at birth due to damage to the ear or nerve structures.

Health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes can also contribute to hearing loss.

Protecting Your Hearing

To safeguard your hearing, avoid prolonged exposure to loud environments, such as concerts, construction sites, or areas with heavy machinery. Wear ear protection, such as earplugs, when necessary. When listening to music or watching television, keep the volume at a safe level.

Take breaks from loud environments, allowing your ears time to rest. If you are in a noisy setting, step away periodically to give your ears a chance to recover.

Be cautious around water. Avoid swimming in dirty water and dry your ears thoroughly after swimming.

Never insert anything into your ears. Be cautious when using cotton swabs or other objects to clean your ears, as they can damage the ear canal.

Manage stress levels, as high levels of stress can sometimes contribute to hearing problems.

Akinola advises that anyone experiencing hearing problems should visit a healthcare facility to consult with a doctor. Those who suspect hearing loss should undergo a hearing test. He also recommends that newborns be closely monitored and vaccinated on time to protect them from diseases that could affect their hearing.