What are the Most Common Causes of Mild Hearing Loss?

Physical trauma to the ears or to the section of the brain responsible for processing auditory information can be a common factor in hearing loss. The ears are responsible for transmitting sound vibrations to the brain, and any blockages or ruptures that occur within the ears can lead to hearing impairments. One possible physical injury that could be accountable for mild hearing loss is the eardrum being punctured with a foreign object. Other commonly cited causes of mild forms of hearing loss include earwax, loud noises, and ear infections.

Earwax, a brown sticky secretion that forms within the ear canal, is often a cause of mild hearing loss. The secretion is a natural substance that resembles wax and helps to protect the ear canal from dust, water, and other foreign materials. When earwax blocks the ear drum, it can cause pain and hearing loss, as it prevents sound from penetrating to the ear drum. To restore hearing, this earwax can often be removed by using irrigation, suction, or earwax removal products. Natural home remedies such as vinegar or peroxide may also be useful; however, checking with a doctor might be necessary to determine the correct amount or combination of such products to use.

Loud noises are generally thought to be one of the most prevalent causes of hearing loss. The hearing loss may be the result of long-term exposure to loud noises, such as regularly blasting music while wearing headphones or turning the television volume up high, fairly common activities for many. Mild hearing loss could also happen after a single exposure to an exceptionally loud noise such as the shock of a shotgun blast or bomb explosion while standing within close range.

Another frequent cause of mild hearing loss is otitis media (OM), a middle ear inflammation or infection that is very common among children, especially among those less than five years of age. OM can affect hearing, as the inflammation can cause swelling and in some cases cause fluids to become trapped behind the eardrum. Often, the hearing loss associated with OM is temporary and will usually disappear once the fluid has cleared up. Treatment for the infection will usually center on medications that treat the cause of the infection. For children who develop reoccurring ear infections, however, surgery might be needed to keep this fluid from accumulating and cause mild hearing loss.

Mild hearing loss is considered to be a very common issue. Although a mild hearing impairment may not affect an individual's ability to hear or communicate well when in intimate settings, it may become a problem with communicating over the phone, in loud environments, and when dealing with excessive background notes. Additionally, hearing loss associated with medical conditions will usually require visiting a health care professional to receive proper medical care and to ensure hearing loss does not become permanent. For instance, hearing loss caused by physical trauma may progressively worsen and become severe without treatment.

Individuals suffering from permanent mild hearing loss may choose to use hearing aids to improve their ability to communicate. Although these devices are not capable of restoring hearing, they do work to amplify sound and allow these individuals to continue to work, attend school, and participate in normal activities despite their hearing impairment. For mild hearing loss sufferers, small and inconspicuous hearing aids are normally available that fit directly into the ear canal.