Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear sounds at or above a hearing threshold of 20 dB in one or both ears.
More than 1.5 billion people, nearly 20% of the global population, are affected by hearing loss; in 430 million cases, it results in a disabling condition. The number will continue to rise, and by 2050, 700 million people are expected to suffer from disabling hearing loss.
This condition can occur at any stage of life, affecting lifelong factors such as earwax accumulation, trauma, noise exposure, ototoxic substances, nutrition, infections, and genetic factors. Nevertheless, some factors are prominent in different periods of life. Keep reading to discover them.
Intrauterine infections and complications during childbirth can lead to congenital hearing loss in newborns
Congenital hearing loss, a condition present at birth, has two leading causes: genetic, which accounts for 80% of cases, and environmental, for the remaining 20%.
Although the environmental causes of hearing loss in newborns are relatively low, we should pay attention to intrauterine infections during the prenatal period. Toxoplasmosis, syphilis, hepatitis B, rubella, herpes simplex, or cytomegalovirus, the most common viral cause of congenital hearing loss, can result in varying degrees of hearing impairment.
Complications during childbirth can also lead to impaired hearing capabilities. These account for lack of oxygen at the time of birth, severe jaundice in the neonatal period, low birth weight, ototoxic drugs, bacterial meningitis, or trauma.
Special attention to infections and noise exposure during childhood and adolescence
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights infections typically occurring during childhood and adolescence as primary causes of temporary or permanent hearing loss:
- Otitis media
- Meningitis
- Measles and mumps
Noise exposure becomes particularly relevant during adolescence with the increased use of electronic devices. According to a meta-analysis conducted in 2022, 1 billion youth are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices caused by exposure to personal listening devices and loud entertainment venues.
Lifestyle factors strongly influence ear health in adulthood and older age
Lifestyle choices can impact our hearing health and increase the risk of developing hearing loss:
- Alcohol consumption: chronic alcohol abuse can lead to central auditory processing issues, affecting the brain’s ability to interpret sound and damage the auditory nerve.
- Smoking: the toxins in tobacco smoke can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the inner ear, damaging the delicate hair cells responsible for hearing.
- Poor nutrition: deficiencies in essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, can negatively impact hearing health.
Although unrelated to lifestyle factors, the natural aging process inevitably comes with a gradual degeneration of the auditory system, particularly the hair cells in the cochlea, which leads to presbycusis. It typically affects high-frequency hearing first and progresses over time.
Hearing loss can be significantly mitigated through effective public health strategies and clinical interventions throughout all stages of life. Self-care measures and early identification are crucial for preventing and effectively managing hearing loss.
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Sources
Al-Ani RM. Various aspects of hearing loss in newborns: A narrative review. World J Clin Pediatr. 2023 Jun 9;12(3):86-96. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i3.86
Dillard LK, Arunda MO, Lopez-Perez L, Martinez RX, Jiménez L, Chadha S. Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health. 2022 Nov;7(11):e010501. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010501.