Hearing Disorders and Deafness
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
It's frustrating to be unable to hear well enough to enjoy talking with friends or family. Hearing disorders make it hard, but not impossible, to hear. They can often be helped. Deafness can keep you from hearing sound at all.
What causes hearing loss? Some possibilities are:
- Heredity
- Diseases such as ear infections and meningitis
- Trauma
- Certain medicines
- Long-term exposure to loud noise
- Aging
There are two main types of hearing loss. One happens when your inner ear or auditory nerve is damaged. This type is usually permanent. The other kind happens when sound waves cannot reach your inner ear. Earwax buildup, fluid, or a punctured eardrum can cause it. Treatment or surgery can often reverse this kind of hearing loss.
Untreated, hearing problems can get worse. If you have trouble hearing, you can get help. Possible treatments include hearing aids, cochlear implants, special training, certain medicines, and surgery.
NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- Hearing Problems · American Academy of Family Physicians
- Hearing Tests for Adults · National Library of Medicine
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For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.
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