New York Deafness Injury Frequently Asked Questions

• Loss of hearing;
• Ringing in the ears;
• Muffled sounds;
• Difficulty hearing speech;
• Asking for people to repeat themselves; and
• Turning up the volume for electronics.

• Construction workers;
• Firefighters;
• Factory workers;
• Steel and mine workers;
• People in the music industry; and
• Textile and factory workers.

Sensorineural: This type of hearing loss is caused by damage to the inner ear, the sounds processing part of the brain or the central nervous system. With this type of disorder, the nerves and the brain are unable to process sound. This type of hearing loss can be genetic.

Conductive: This type of hearing loss is caused when sound waves can’t reach the eardrum.

Mixed: Hearing loss can be a combination of the above, and usually means there is damage to both the inner and middle ears.

• Noise induced hearing loss: This condition is caused by loud noises, and is the most common cause of hearing loss.
• Presbycusis: This hearing loss is a result of aging.
• Genetic hearing loss: Caused by genetic factors.
• Temporary blockage: This is caused by ear wax, fluids and infections.
• Disease: Some diseases cause hearing loss, such as Meniere’s disease, or meningitis.
• Ototoxic: Hearing loss can be caused by medication and medical treatments.
• Otis Media: common ear infection
• Osteosclerosis: Hearing loss from abnormal bone growth.
• Head injuries: Can be caused by tumors, eardrum perforations and other head or ear injuries.

The doctor will give you a variety of audiological tests and will ask you a lot of questions, such as:

• Your health history;
• Exposure of workplace stressors;
• Medications;
• Past surgeries; and
• Family history.