There are some basic facts about hearing impairment. People who have not experienced hearing loss may know very little about hearing impairment. Here are some basic, little-known facts about hearing impairment.

There are two main types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is caused by something stopping the transmission of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by an inability of the inner ear or auditory nerve to transmit hearing information to the brain for processing. If a person has both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss, the condition is called mixed hearing loss.

Hearing loss can occur in one ear or both ears. Hearing loss in one ear is called unilateral hearing loss. Hearing impairment of both ears is called bilateral hearing loss. Hearing loss can start suddenly or develop gradually. Some people who develop hearing loss have periods of normal hearing between periods of hearing loss or deafness when the hearing loss develops.

Slight hearing loss after the age of twenty is common. About one-third of Americans over the age of sixty have hearing loss. About half of the Americans over seventy-five have hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis. Lifetime noise exposure and tobacco use are risk factors for presbycusis.

Hearing loss has many different causes. Common causes of hearing impairment are injury, head trauma, illness, noise exposure, infection, and noncancerous tumors. Some medications can cause hearing loss. Working around loud noise can cause occupational hearing loss.

The most common cause of hearing loss in children is ear infections. Exposure to some diseases which are considered childhood diseases, such as measles, mumps, and scarlet fever, can cause hearing loss. Vaccinations for these illnesses can prevent this type of hearing loss by preventing these illnesses.

Loud noises can cause hearing loss or deafness. If a person experiences hearing loss due to a loud noise such as fireworks or an explosion, the deafness or hearing loss is said to be caused by auditory trauma.
A loud noise can cause deafness by rupturing the eardrum. In most cases, the perforated eardrum will heal on its own. Sometimes, surgery is recommended to repair the damage.