Hearing loss

Partial or complete diminution of auditory sensitivity relative to age-appropriate norms, resulting from conductive, sensorineural, or mixed pathology anywhere along the peripheral or central auditory pathways. Possible causes are conductive hearling loss (earwax, otitis media, ruptured eardrum, otosclerosis) and sensorineural causes (aging, loud noise exposure, totoxic antibiotics/diuretics/chemotherapy, mumps, measles, meningitis, hypertension, diabetes, Ménière's disease).