Hearing loss

Toxic:

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics
• Ethacrynic acid - oral
• Aspirin
• Chloroquine
• Quinidine

Age-related:

• Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis)

Occupational:

• Any occupation with exposure to loud noises on a continuous day-to-day basis can result in hearing loss due to nerve end damage. Increased attention to conditions in the work environment has markedly decreased the likelihood of work-related hearing loss. See occupational hearing loss.

Other:

• Meniere's disease
• Acoustic neuroma

Temporary hearing loss can be caused by:

• The build-up of wax in the ear canal
• Foreign body lodged in the ear canal
• Injury to the head
• Allergy
• Blocked Eustachian tubes
• Scarred or perforated eardrum
• Ear infections (chronic otitis externa, chronic otitis media, malignant otitis externa)
• Reaction to medication such as aminoglycosides, chloroquine, quinidine

Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005:443-444.

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