Hearing Disorders

Among the most common causes of hearing disorders are allergies, antibiotic and other drug use, the buildup of earwax, infection and inflammation, and chronic exposure to loud noises.

Allergies

Both food and environmental sensitivities can cause or exacerbate hearing disorders, and are especially connected to the increased incidence of otitis media over the last few decades. Common foods that can trigger allergenic responses include milk and dairy products, corn, chocolate, sugar, wheat and wheat byproducts; whereas common environmental triggers include animal dander, dust, and mold, especially in the bedroom. Other allergy related conditions, such as asthma, eczema, hay fever, and hives, may also be associated with hearing disorders. Allergenic substances negatively impact the ear by increasing the risk of infection and causing swelling and inflammation.

Antibiotics and Other Drugs

The overuse of antibiotics and other drugs is also associated with the rise of hearing disorders. This is particularly true of otitis media, which is commonly treated with antibiotics prescribed by conventional physicians. In fact, over 40 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions for children in the U.S. are made in order to treat otitis media. However, research has found that, while antibiotics can be necessary for a few cases of otitis media, nearly 90 percent of antibiotic use is unwarranted. In addition, the use of antibiotics for otitis media has been shown to increase the incidence and frequency of recurring otitis media episodes.

Similar negative side effects have been shown to occur in children who are prescribed antibiotics for chronic earache and ear pain. Not only have antibiotics been found to be no better than placebo for treating ear pain in children, they have also been shown to increase the risk of the excessive ear fluid that is associated with recurring episodes of earache, as well as ear infections.

The late William Crook, MD, author of The Yeast Connection, also found that antibiotic use leads to candidiasis (systemic yeast overgrowth) and suppresses the immune system. As a result, a vicious cycle is set up in which antibiotics used to treat ear and hearing conditions leads to immune suppression and candidiasis, which in turn leads to further bouts of hearing disorders.
Alternative and holistic physicians, recognizing the dangers of antibiotic use, will only consider antibiotics for ear infections that have spread either to the mastoid bone behind the ear, or into the membranes known as the meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Other pharmaceutical drugs can also cause or exacerbate hearing disorders, including aspirin and diuretic drugs used to treat conditions of water retention, such as edema. Chemotherapy can also cause hearing problems, in addition to many other serious side effects.

Excessive Earwax Buildup

Although a certain amount of earwax buildup inside the ear is normal and necessary for keeping the ear canal clean and moist, excessive wax buildup can lead to a host of hearing problems, include earache and ear pain, hearing loss, ear infections, inflammation, and dizziness. Food and environmental allergies often play a role in earwax buildup, as does poor hygiene and failure to properly clean the ears on a regular basis using cotton swabs. (see How Should I Clean My Ears? for safe ear swabbing technique.) Antibiotics can also play a role.

Infection and Inflammation

Both infection and inflammation are frequently involved in hearing disorders. Infections can occur as a result of the use of pharmaceutical drugs, swimming and/or bathing and showering in unclean water or water that contains high amounts of chlorine, and exposure to bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Infections related to hearing problems can also be due to pre-existing health conditions, including allergies, cancer, candidiasis, diabetes, and other chronic immune conditions.

Inflammation of the ear can occur as a result of physical trauma to the ear, as well as the inappropriate use of cotton swabs for ear cleaning and objects placed in the ear (a fairly common occurrence among young children).

Loud Noise

An estimated 33 per cent of all hearing disorders are primarily due to exposure to loud noise (any sound over a decibel level of 80 to 85). In some cases, noise can cause permanent deafness. Sources of loud noise include airplanes, especially during takeoff; heavy construction and jackhammer use; regular attendance of hip hop, rap, rock, and heavy metal concerts (as well as playing in bands that perform such music); and listening to music played loud over stereos, Walkmans, MP3 players, and iPods (using headphones for this purpose can significantly increase the risk of hearing disorders, as well as increase ear infections). Loud noise, particularly if it is sudden an unexpected, can cause instant damage to the ear, impairing hearing by tearing the tissues of the inner ear.

Note: If you work in a loud or noisy environment consider the use of ear plugs or ear muffs, which must be provided by your employer according to federal regulations.

Other Causes of Hearing Disorders

Other possible causes of hearing disorders include perforation of any part of the middle or inner ear, smoking (due to how nicotine impairs circulation), swimming regularly in chlorinated pools (swimmer’s ear), autoimmune and metabolic health conditions, benign tumors, and vascular damage. Chronic dehydration can also cause or worsen hearing disorders, as can early bottle-feeding of infants in place of breastfeeding. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome can also be a factor.