Hearing Loss Research Paper

What is hearing loss and deafness? Is it the inability to hear sound? Or is it more than that? The answer will depend on who you ask. With regard to hearing loss, there are three main types. An individual with conductive hearing loss has the inability to hear due to any number of issues stemming from the outer ear. Sound waves are not able to pass from the outer ear to the inner ear, specifically the cochlea (a spiral cavity that looks like a snail shell that receives sound in the form of vibrations). Poor cleaning of the ears, fluid buildup, malformations, or an infection of the ear could all be causes for this type of hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type, can be caused by several factors including, but not …show more content…
Genes are like road maps for proteins, which are the building blocks of the body. Every person will inherit half of their genes from their mother and the other half from their father. This includes genes that might be defective and cause a health disorder such as hearing loss. There are three types of genetic hearing loss: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-Linked. Autosomal dominant hearing loss is when a child inherits an abnormal gene from one parent. A child would have a 50% chance of inheriting the trait if one of the parents has a hearing loss. Autosomal recessive is a 25% chance of the child having hearing loss. In this process, both parents have a normal hearing level and one has passed the recessive trait to the child. X-Linked hearing loss is caused when the mother has passed the recessive trait down to her offspring. That trait is found in the sex chromosome. Boys have a higher chance of having hearing loss through X-Linked hearing loss than …show more content…
Diseases, infections, and even medications can lead to some form of hearing loss. Common everyday medicines that are taken for headaches, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can be a factor if taken in large enough doses on a daily basis. Usually, when taking medications, people think of side effects that might be minor (headache) or slightly inconvenient (an upset stomach). There are even medications that might have more serious side effects (heart or kidney failure). Antibiotics, medicines to treat cancer, high blood pressure medications could also be factors. If one medication can cause a hearing loss, then taking more than one at the same time can most definitely be considered a risk where a possible hearing loss is concerned. Is the side effect of hearing loss on the mind of those taking medications? Probably not. Most of the time, a list of possible side effects is presented to a patient when they acquire their prescription. People should read over these possibilities and discuss concerns with their doctor or pharmacist prior to taking any kind of