Much of your ability to hear is governed by miniature nerve endings in your inner ear. If these nerves are damaged, or if damage occurs in other areas of the inner ear, sensorineural hearing loss can result.

In most cases, sensorineural deafness does not result in a complete inability to hear. Actually, in many cases only certain sounds become difficult to hear. Some sounds may seem too loud, while others may seem much less distinctive. Background noise often compounds the issue. Speech can be especially challenging to understand in noisy environments. The individual may have difficulty when attempting to follow a conversation with more than one person speaking and may notice that women’s voices are harder to understand than men’s. Troubles in hearing aren’t the only symptom of sensorineural hearing loss: tinnitus and dizziness can also occur.

There are many different causes of sensorineural hearing loss. Sometimes this form of deafness exists since birth. Genetic problems can result in many forms of congenital sensorineural hearing loss, while in other cases infections passed from mother to infant are the root cause.

As a person matures, sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by a number of different issues. One such cause is acoustic trauma, or contact with an excessively loud noise. Consistent exposure to lower level noise, such as working with noisy equipment or listening to loud music, can also result in inner ear damage.

Sensorineural hearing loss can come on suddenly, such as in the case of viral infections. Viruses such as mumps, measles and meningitis can all lead to this issue. Fluctuating hearing loss that comes and goes combined with vertigo and tinnitus can be a sign of Meniere’s Disease. Corticosteroids may prove helpful in these two cases.

Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused by tumors, as well as sudden changes in air pressure and head trauma. A hereditary disorder known as otosclerosis can cause a bony growth to form around an important bone in the middle ear, leading to this type of hearing loss.

There is no doubt that sensorineural hearing loss can drastically decrease your quality of life, but there are ways to deal with it.

Certainly illness and injury can cause hearing loss, but could genetics also contribute? Quite simply, the answer is “Yes.” Genetic abnormalities actually cause most types of hearing loss. On top of that, hearing loss is regarded as the most common birth defect in the developed world.

DNA, genes and inheritance. Our is DNA composed of genes, which behave like tiny pieces of code that, when set in a certain combination, cause all of us to look and function the way we do. Scientists have discovered over 100 genes that can impact hearing. Hearing loss may result from any one of these genes being missing or altered. When an individual having these abnormal gene sequences has a child, the irregular gene or genes are often passed on to the child too.

Genetic hearing loss variations. Some varieties of genetic hearing loss can visibly affect the outer ear, while other forms just affect hearing in the inner ear. The hearing loss can be conductive, sensorineural or mixed. Note that, hereditary hearing loss can reveal itself at birth or later on in life. Usher syndrome affects over fifty percent of the deaf-blind population, making it one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Another named disorder that includes hearing loss is Waardenburg syndrome. Telltale signs include streaks of white hair, pale skin and light-colored eyes in addition to the hearing loss.

The good news about hereditary hearing losses. Just because a parent has hearing loss, does not automatically mean the child will have hearing loss too. Genes which contribute to hearing loss are commonly recessive. So long as the child inherits a normal copy of the gene from one parent, their hearing should be normal. Even if both parents suffer from hearing loss, their kids may still not be affected by hearing loss because different genes may be responsible in each parent. People concerned with genetic hearing loss can see a doctor for genetic testing that can help determine risks.

Three of the more recognizable indication of Meniere’s disease are tinnitus, vertigo, and fluctuating hearing loss. This disorder affects your inner ear, causing you to experience symptoms that disturb your hearing and balance. While there is no known cure for this condition, there are steps that you can take to lessen the impact it has on your life.

The symptoms of Meniere’s disease tend to occur in clusters of episodes. A common starting point of these episodes is a feeling of fullness in the ear that leads to tinnitus and mild hearing loss. Vertigo is likely to come next, causing you to feel as though the room is spinning around you. You may feel nauseated and your balance may be impaired. An episode can be as short as twenty minutes and as long as four hours.

Many people who suffer from Meniere’s disease experience several such episodes in a short period of time with long periods of remission in between. Individual symptoms can vary a great deal in both duration and severity from episode to episode. Since these symptoms are not unique to Meniere’s disease, it’s very important to check with your physician to rule out other potentially serious health problems.

Researchers are still working to determine the cause of Meniere’s disease, but the leading theory is that its symptoms are caused by abnormalities in fluid in the inner ear. Your ear relies on very specific levels of fluid volume and pressure to function as it should. Allergies, head trauma, improper drainage, and viral infections may act as triggers for these fluid abnormalities.

Even though there is no method to cure Meniere’s disease, there are ways to manage the symptoms. People who experience nausea as a result of vertigo can use anti-nausea medications to alleviate their symptoms. Physicians may also prescribe drugs that reduce fluid retention as a way to control the disorder. Rehabilitation and hearing aids can help manage vertigo and hearing loss. The effects of vertigo may also be lessened by sitting or lying down as soon as possible after an episode starts and by avoiding triggers that seem to make vertigo symptoms worse.

Although there are some unpleasant symptoms associated with Meniere’s disease, there are steps that you can take to manage your episodes and reduce the impact they have on your life.

One of the easiest things you can do to protect your ability to hear is to wear ear plugs. When these small devices are inserted into your ear canal, disruptive or dangerous sounds are blocked out. There are many types of ear plugs on the market, making shopping confusing for some people, but with a little knowledge you can find the right pair for your situation.

The first thing to think about when shopping for ear plugs is the amount of noise reduction you need. Ear plugs are labelled with a noise reduction rating (NRR) to indicate how much noise they are able to block. Better quality ear plugs will have NRR’s between 21 and 33. Think about where you plan to use your ear plugs. If you need something to block out the noise of traffic or construction work while studying or working, a lower NRR plug will likely be sufficient. However if you spend a lot of time around fairly loud noises you’ll need a higher NRR as would be the case for heavy equipment operators or musicians.

The composition of your ear plugs is another important factor to consider. The most basic material is foam. The foam is compressed during insertion then expands to plug the canal. Alternatively, silicone plugs are molded over the outside of the ear canal, allowing you to create a plug that fits your ear perfectly. Both foam and silicone ear plugs need to be replaced periodically.

Finally, consider the situation that you need the ear plugs for. While foam and silicone ear plugs are great for casual use, certain professions and situations warrant investing in specialized ear plugs. For example, musicians often have custom ear plugs molded for them because they spend so much time around loud music both practicing and performing. These plugs are carefully crafted to fit your ear, allowing you to hear what you are playing while blocking out harmful sounds.

If you have a partner who snores, you may be shopping for earplugs to wear while you are sleeping. You can find ear plugs that are specifically designed to block out snoring without keeping you from hearing your fire alarm and alarm clock. Take time to test out the plugs with your head tilted to the side. You’ll want to choose a pair that fits well while lying down.

With a little time and consideration you should not have any difficulties finding the earplugs that are right for you.

With so many charities available to choose from, picking one can seem like an overwhelming task. Selecting which charities to support financial is based on several factors including the cause itself, the reputation of the organization and the intended use of the funds. You can become a part of one of many national and international charity organizations that lend their time and resources to helping those in need of better hearing health.

• Hearing Loss Association of America – With 14 state organizations, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) leads the way in the U.S. as the largest national organization for sufferers of hearing loss. HLAA provides education, resources, and support to people with hearing loss and to their families. They also strive to promote public awareness and prevention at local, state, and national levels. Visit the HLAA website at www.hearingloss.org to become a member or for information about upcoming charity walks in your area.

• Hearing Health Foundation – Collette Baker Ramsey, a woman who suffered from hearing loss herself, created Hearing Health Foundation in the 1950s. The organization has two main areas of focus. One is research into new treatments and cures for hearing loss. The other is hearing loss prevention through public education. For example, the largest research project at the moment focuses on cures for tinnitus. If you wish to contribute to Hearing Health Foundation, there are several ways to help. The foundation accepts one-time gifts and monthly donations, as well as other financial contributions. More hands-on ways to get involved include sharing your hearing loss experience in the form of a letter or video, participating in a fundraising event or even launching a new research grant. Visit their website at www.hearinghealthfoundation.org for more information, news and updates.

• Starkey Hearing Foundation – Starkey Hearing Foundation is a national and international organization that offers three programs for hearing needs: Hear Now, Listen Carefully, and Hearing Aid Recycling. The Listen Carefully program provides education to school age children on the dangers of listening to high-decibel music. The Hearing Aid Recycling does exactly what the name implies. It accepts donations of used hearing aids and refurbishes them for people who cannot afford a new one. Hear Now provides financial assistance to U.S. residents in need of hearing aids. Visit the Starkey Hearing Foundation website at www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org for more details about each individual program or to make a donation.