Your ears are complex structures that depend on a balanced environment and proper care in order to receive and process sounds. Hearing loss can come from many sources – some temporary, and some permanent. Luckily, many forms of hearing loss are preventable, and most permanent loss can be treated with the help of an audiologist and the use of hearing aids. If you're having trouble hearing, understanding the root cause is the first place to start.

Here's a look at some common causes of hearing loss and what can be done about them:

Temporary Hearing Loss

Some hearing loss is caused by temporary conditions that you can treat and restore your hearing. Here are a few of the most common causes of temporary hearing loss.

Excessive Earwax

Designed to protect your ear canal, earwax exists in a delicate environment. Ears that produce too much wax, the buildup can lead to earaches, persistent ringing in your ears and some hearing loss. A physical examination from your audiologist can tell you if your ears have too much wax, and can recommend flushing treatments to clean it out.

Eardrum Injuries

Sometimes, a severe ear infection, exposure to explosive noise or significant changes in air pressure can actually cause your eardrum to rupture. The thin tissue between your middle and outer ear is vulnerable, and it can cause both pain and hearing loss if it's damaged. Luckily, your hearing is typically restored when the injury heals.

Permanent Hearing Loss

When it comes to permanent hearing loss, you can be your ear's own worst enemy. Your lifestyle choices can be a factor in the damage to your hearing. Here's a few causes of permanent hearing loss that can leave you needing hearing aids over time.

Ear Buds

With the increased popularity of personal music players and the streamlined look of ear buds, hearing damage has become a significant concern. For music listeners who like their beats loud, enjoying that song can be hazardous to your ears. Repeated exposure to loud volumes of 85 decibels or more can be damaging to your ears. Always keep the volume low when you put those buds in your ears.

Weight

Being overweight can also put you at greater risk of hearing loss. Obesity can affect the blood flow to your inner ear, which could damage your hearing. Luckily, you can increase your blood circulation, even to your inner ear, with routine exercise.

The world around you is full of sights and sounds, and you need to be able to rely on your hearing to help you navigate it. Whether you suspect that you already have hearing loss or you want to be proactive about protecting your hearing, talk with a specialist, like AVC Hearing Aid Center, about evaluating your hearing and fitting you for hearing aids if you need them. 

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