Creator: Diem Smith - Clinician
Published: 2022-07-01

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What are the common causes of hearing loss in adults?

Some of the most common causes of hearing loss include:

Aging
Excessive noise exposure
Injury
Viral infections (such as measles or mumps)
Wax buildup
Ototoxic drugs (medications that damage hearing)
Genetics

Hearing loss can occur at any time during your lifespan. No matter the cause of your hearing loss, you can benefit from getting your hearing checked by a hearing care specialist.

Hearing loss types

Do you think you have hearing loss?

Complete the steps below. Use the form below or quote the 'Audika' website when booking your appointment. All fields required.

Question 1 – Around the table

Do you have trouble following conversations, when there are 4 or more people present?

Question 2 – Family and friends

Have you received advice from your family or friends to get your hearing tested?

Question 3 – Understand what others say

Do you ever struggle to understand what others are saying because you cannot hear properly?

Question 4 – TV or radio

Do you find yourself turning up the TV or radio even when the volume is loud enough for others?

The result is an indication. An in-person hearing test can determine if you have a hearing loss.

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

Age is a very common cause of hearing loss. It is caused by changes in the inner ear that occur as you grow older. Additionally, genes and loud noise can also play a big role. When your hearing starts to weaken, it becomes more difficult to:

Hear soft voices
Hear high-frequency sounds (voices of children and women)
Follow conversations in the presence of background noise.

Because the loss is gradual, you may not realize that you’ve lost some of your ability to hear.

Age related hearing loss

Image shows audiologist examing ear of a man whose hearing loss was caused by aging

Noise-induced hearing loss

Repeated exposure to high levels of noise is another common cause of hearing loss. If you are exposed to loud noise for too long, the sensitive hair cells in the inner ear become damaged, and your ability to hear clearly can be compromised.

Some people have a higher risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss when they are regularly exposed to loud noise. Listening to excessively loud music at live concerts (or through headphones) can be another cause of hearing damage.

Noise induced hearing loss

Congenital hearing loss

Congenital hearing loss means that a baby is born with a hearing problem. The baby's hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors including genetic defects, infections during pregnancy or low birth weight.

When compared to all causes of hearing loss, congenital hearing loss is quite rare: about 1% of babies are born with hearing loss¹.

Protect your ears in loud environments

It is very important to protect your ears in these situations by limiting exposure to loud sounds (when possible) or by wearing high-quality and well fitted ear plugs or earmuffs.

Image shows people having conversations outside

1. Loud background noise

Any environment where you need to raise your voice to make yourself heard over background noise or where very loud momentary or repetitive sounds are occurring

Image shows man working with a loud tool

2. Impact of noise exposure

Can cause permanent hearing loss and depends on how loud it is and how long you are exposed without a break

3. Live music

Noise damage can occur anywhere, for example concerts or festivals where the sound levels are very high, especially if your ears ring afterwards

Image shows a hand holding an invisible hearing aid.

Did you know?

Today’s hearing aids are more technologically advanced and smaller than ever.

Some hearing aids can be virtually invisible and yet offer excellent sound quality - even in difficult listening situations.

Others can also be connected to your smartphone (or other smart devices) in order to stream sound directly to your hearing aids.

Invisible hearing aids

Image shows an audiologist talking to a person with hearing loss in front of a screen showing an audiogram

Options for dealing with hearing loss

Fortunately, there is help available regardless of the cause of your hearing loss. Understanding the source of your issues gives our hearing care experts insight into your needs.

While there is a wide range of possible causes and treatments for hearing loss, many cases of hearing loss can be assisted by hearing aids. Your hearing care expert can explain the best options for you after you have completed a hearing test.

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FAQ about causes of hearing loss

Diem Smith - Clinician

BSc, M.Aud (Hons), MNZAS, CCC

Diem graduated from the University of Auckland in 2000 and began her career in the public sector at the National Audiology Centre. She then went on to work in London at a specialist paediatric hospital for 2 years.

On her return to New Zealand Diem worked for a hearing aid manufacturer for 5 years as a sales and product support audiologist before a move to the Bay of Plenty where she worked with adults and children for 5 years at a private clinic in Whakatane. This clinic also provided public hospital audiology support for the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Diem has now been with Audika for the past 10 years in various roles, one of which was Clinical Trainer where she enjoyed being able to support her fellow clinicians to provide quality hearing care for all Audika clients. During this time, Diem was also on the NZAS Executive Council for two years. Her many years of experience and well-honed skills has allowed her to help reconnect her clients with their family and loved ones on their hearing journey.

Last reviewed 2023-07-01

Sources

1. https://www.babyhearing.org/genetic-hearing-loss-faq

Causes of hearing loss