is a disease involving the middle ear. It affects the movement of the tiny bones in the middle ear. Otosclerosis can cause a conductive type of hearing loss. This condition is often surgically treatable.

affects the inner ear. The cause of Ménière’s disease is unknown. It usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50. A person with Ménière’s disease will often have a combination of sensorineural hearing loss, dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and sensitivity to loud sounds. This type of hearing loss is managed by a doctor and audiologist. Some people with Ménière’s disease report mild symptoms, but for others the symptoms are much worse. The hearing loss comes and goes, but over time some loss becomes permanent.

This sudden onset hearing loss is severe and requires medical attention as soon as possible. With prompt medical treatment, the hearing loss caused by this illness can be reduced.

This sudden onset hearing loss is severe and requires medical attention as soon as possible. With prompt medical treatment, the hearing loss caused by this illness can be reduced.Drugs used in chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin, carboplatin, or nitrogen mustard).

can result in irreversible hearing loss. This is known as noise-induced hearing loss. Long periods of exposure to loud noise can cause damage to the inner ear’s hair cells. Noise-induced hearing loss often occurs gradually and painlessly. A single exposure to an extraordinarily loud noise, such as an explosion, might result in an abrupt loss of hearing. This is known as acoustic trauma.

is an example of a tumor that results in hearing loss. Hearing loss or ringing in one ear may be accompanied by a sense of fullness. Acoustic neuromas are treated medically.

can cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), skull fractures, an eardrum hole, and middle ear damage, all of which result in hearing loss.

is a sensorineural hearing loss that develops progressively in later life. The syndrome gradually impairs hearing in both ears. Speech becomes muffled or indistinct when the capacity to perceive high pitch sounds fades first. Rhyming errors can happen—for example, the high-pitched sound /t/ in the word tin is heard as /f/ in the word fin, producing confusion: “The roof is made of tin” becomes “The roof is made of fin.”

can result in hearing loss. Some medicines that have been linked to ototoxicity include:
Aminoglycoside antibiotics (including streptomycin, neomycin, and kanamycin)
Salicylates in significant amounts (aspirin)
Loop diuretics (Lasix or Ethacrynic acid)
Drugs used in chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin, carboplatin, or nitrogen mustard).