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Home ⟩ Hearing Health ⟩ What causes hearing loss?

What causes hearing loss?

Ash Shah, Professional Services Manager and Hearing Aid Dispenser at The Hearing Care Partnership. Ashish Shah  |  Published 18 January 2023  | Updated 05 December 2024  | 5 mins read

Hearing assessment results featuring audiogram, otoscope, artificial ear with IIC device, and two BTE hearing aids.

Hearing loss will affect one in six of us by the time we reach our 60s, with over nine million people living with hearing loss in the UK today. Losing your hearing is often part of the natural ageing process (known as age-related hearing loss), and with modern advances in hearing aids and technology the condition is very manageable. Sometimes, hearing loss is caused by more than just ageing. There are a range of conditions, situations and sometimes just bad luck that can impair your hearing. These are some of the most common causes of hearing loss.

What is the most common cause of hearing loss?

Of all the possible hearing loss causes, age-related hearing loss (also known as presbycusis), is the most common cause of hearing loss in the UK and worldwide. This type of hearing loss occurs very gradually over time and for that reason, most people affected don’t realise they have a hearing problem. High blood pressure and diabetes, both of which are common in older people, are also often associated with hearing loss. This is because both conditions affect the blood vessels in your inner ear which can cause damage over time and contribute to hearing loss. 

The symptoms relating to presbycusis include being unable to hear conversations on the phone and the feeling that people are mumbling when speaking directly to you. Some people might find it difficult to hear high-pitched sounds or even the phone ringing. Others might experience a continuous ringing in the ears.

Medical conditions that can cause hearing loss

Some diseases that can cause hearing loss are classed as medical conditions and they include the following.

Otosclerosis

This condition is caused by abnormal bone remodelling in the middle ear. As we age, bone tissue is slowly regenerated. In the case of otosclerosis, the remodelled bone actually blocks or disrupts the flow of sound from the middle ear to the inner ear. This causes hearing loss and balance problems. It can also account for tinnitus.

Ménière’s disease

This particular disease is less common and can affect both balance and hearing. The condition relates to the inner ear and can lead to dizzy spells, tinnitus and pressure in the ear. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting and headaches. There is no cure but treatment is available in the form of diuretics (water tablets). Some lifestyle changes can also help alleviate the problem.

Otitis media (ear infection)

This condition is also known as middle ear infection. Inflammation of the middle ear causes fluid to build up, which puts pressure on the eardrum. Children aged up to 24 months are most likely to be affected, although it can affect people of any age. Symptoms include redness and swelling, fever or earache. Colds and allergies are often the likely causes. The condition usually clears up on its own.

Cholesteatoma

This is another quite rare condition, which if left untreated, can cause damage to the inner ear and lead to pain, infection and an unpleasant discharge. Symptoms include vertigo and tinnitus and hearing loss, which can be permanent. In extreme cases, infection can spread to the brain, leading to a brain abscess or meningitis.

Other causes of hearing loss

A patient having ear wax removal appointment.

Ear wax build-up

This condition is very common and can lead to temporary hearing loss or diminished hearing. Ear wax build-up is an accumulation of ear wax, which can harden and cause a restriction or blockage of the ear canal. A professional ear wax removal is the most effective treatment.

Ototoxic medications

Oxotoxic medications can cause hearing loss and include a wide range of prescribed and over-the-counter medications such as the following.

  • Opioids
  • Diuretics
  • Antibiotics
  • Antidepressants
  • Cancer drugs
  • Antineoplastics
  • Quinine
An audiologist explaining an ear issue to a patient.

Loud noise

Loud noise such as that from machinery, power tools or music can over time cause hearing loss. The condition is known as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), which can be temporary or permanent. Ear defenders or other forms of hearing protection are ways to prevent NIHL.

Head and ear injuries

Head injuries such as concussion and skull fractures can cause short-term and permanent loss of hearing. Also, a traumatic brain injury can cause damage to the inner ear. A ruptured or perforated eardrum will very often heal within 2-3 months but if it doesn’t then the ear could become infected.

An audiologist carefully creating a custom earplug by taking an ear impression of a child, using specialized molding materials to capture precise ear canal details.

Lifestyle and genes

Some types of hearing loss can be prevented by wearing protective ear defenders, especially when working around noisy machinery. However, standing next to huge loudspeakers at music concerts, for example, can have regrettable consequences later in life.

Around 50 percent of all hearing loss cases are inherited. Genetic hearing loss can be part of a syndrome or it can be non-syndromic. The latter is the most common form, which is classed as autosomal recessive. That means the genes follow a specific pattern of mutation.

Learn more about ear conditions.

Key takeaways

For most people, some degree of hearing loss during their lifetime is inevitable. A wide variety of hearing aids are available to help.

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FAQs about hearing loss causes

No. Tinnitus is a symptom most often associated with hearing loss but it doesn’t actually cause hearing loss.

There does appear to be a link between both type I and type 2 diabetes, and hearing loss. Although not yet proven, research suggests that prolonged high blood glucose levels can affect the blood/oxygen flow to the nerves and vessels of the inner ear. This can lead to loss of hearing.

While there is no definitive proof that COVID-19 can cause hearing loss, the virus is likely to enter the ear through the Eustachian tube. This can lead to infection, which is thought to have a profound effect on hearing and balance.

Research has shown that high blood pressure, or hypertension, is linked to the build-up of fatty plaque in the blood vessels. This is likely to deprive the tiny blood vessels of the inner ear of vital nutrients, which can affect hearing.

The evidence points to there being a link between hearing loss and dementia. The severity of hearing loss can determine the level of development in dementia. For example, severe hearing loss increases the risk of dementia 5-fold.