19/09/2025
π 100 Causes of Deafness (Hearing Loss)
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I. Infectious Causes (Bacteria, Virus, Fungi, Parasites)
(Highlighting bacterial infection π΄β
1. Acute Otitis Media (middle ear bacterial infection) β pain, fever, muffled hearing. π΄
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2. Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media β persistent discharge, perforated eardrum, hearing loss. π΄
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3. Otitis Externa (swimmerβs ear, bacterial) β ear pain, swelling, discharge. π΄
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4. Meningitis (bacterial) β fever, stiff neck, severe headache, sudden deafness. π΄
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5. Syphilis (congenital/acquired) β progressive hearing loss, tinnitus. π΄
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6. Tuberculosis of middle ear β painless ear discharge, multiple perforations. π΄
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7. Lyme Disease β fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. π΄
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8. Scarlet fever (Strep. pyogenes) β ear complications leading to deafness. π΄
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9. Whooping cough complications β auditory nerve damage. π΄
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10. Pneumonia (complicated bacterial spread) β can cause middle ear effusion, temporary deafness. π΄
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11. Cholesteatoma with secondary bacterial infection β foul discharge, gradual hearing loss. π΄
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12. Sinusitis with bacterial mucus blockage β ear pressure, muffled hearing. π΄
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13. Mastoiditis (bacterial spread from ear) β swelling behind ear, pus, deafness. π΄
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14. Sepsis (severe infection) β can damage cochlea from inflammatory toxins. π΄
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15. Leprosy β chronic nerve involvement, ear deformity. π΄
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(Viral & others also: Mumps, Measles, Rubella, Herpes zoster oticus, HIV, CMV, etc. β but focus remains on bacterial.)
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II. Structural / Mechanical Blockage
16. Earwax impaction (cerumen plug).
17. Foreign body in ear canal.
18. Bony overgrowth (exostosis).
19. Cholesteatoma (skin growth in middle ear).
20. Eustachian tube dysfunction (blocked by mucus).
21. Barotrauma (airplane, diving pressure).
22. Nasal polyps blocking tube.
23. Enlarged adenoids.
24. Deviated nasal septum with sinus block.
25. Temporal bone fracture.
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III. Neurological / Nerve Damage
26. Acoustic neuroma (benign tumor of hearing nerve).
27. Multiple sclerosis (nerve conduction defect).
28. Stroke affecting auditory cortex.
29. Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.
30. Traumatic brain injury.
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IV. Age & Degeneration
31. Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss).
32. Cochlear hair cell degeneration.
33. Reduced blood supply to cochlea (ischemia).
34. Oxidative stress on auditory nerve.
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V. Noise & Trauma
35. Loud music exposure (concerts, headphones).
36. Industrial machinery.
37. Gunfire/explosions.
38. Sudden loud blast (acoustic trauma).
39. Head trauma with temporal bone fracture.
40. Whiplash injuries.
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VI. Autoimmune & Inflammatory
41. Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED).
42. Rheumatoid arthritis (vasculitis in ear vessels).
43. Lupus.
44. Sarcoidosis.
45. Wegenerβs granulomatosis.
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VII. Ototoxic Medications & Toxins
46. Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, streptomycin).
47. Chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin).
48. Loop diuretics (furosemide).
49. High-dose aspirin.
50. Quinine/Chloroquine.
51. Heavy metals (lead, mercury).
52. Solvent exposure (toluene).
53. Carbon monoxide poisoning.
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VIII. Metabolic & Systemic
54. Diabetes mellitus (neuropathy).
55. Thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism).
56. Hyperlipidemia.
57. Hypertension damaging microcirculation.
58. Anemia (low oxygen delivery).
59. Renal failure (uremic toxins).
60. Vitamin B12 deficiency.
61. Thiamine deficiency.
62. Zinc deficiency.
63. Iron deficiency anemia.
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IX. Congenital / Genetic
64. Waardenburg syndrome.
65. Usher syndrome.
66. Pendred syndrome.
67. Alport syndrome.
68. Connexin 26 gene mutation.
69. Cytomegalovirus congenital infection.
70. Birth trauma (forceps delivery).
71. Neonatal jaundice (kernicterus).
72. Prematurity complications.
73. Low birth weight with hypoxia.
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X. Other Medical Conditions
74. MΓ©niΓ¨reβs disease (vertigo, tinnitus, fluctuating deafness).
75. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (idiopathic).
76. Otosclerosis (fixation of stapes bone).
77. Pagetβs disease of bone.
78. Temporal arteritis.
79. Chronic kidney disease.
80. Malnutrition.
81. Syphilis (late stage, nerve deafness).
82. Paraneoplastic syndromes.
83. Alcohol-related nerve toxicity.
84. Radiation-induced hearing loss.
85. Endocrine tumors affecting hormones.
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XI. Pediatric / Developmental
86. Intrauterine infections (TORCH).
87. Neonatal hypoxia.
88. Neonatal meningitis (bacterial). π΄
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89. Ototoxic antibiotics in neonates.
90. Congenital rubella.
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XII. Rare & Miscellaneous
91. Snake venom neurotoxin effect.
92. Viral labyrinthitis.
93. Parasitic infections (schistosomiasis).
94. Fungal otitis externa.
95. Psoriasis affecting ear canal.
96. Severe eczema with canal closure.
97. Kawasaki disease with vasculitis.
98. Sickle cell disease (vascular occlusion).
99. Acoustic shock disorder (psychogenic).
100. Psychogenic/conversion deafness.
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π οΈ Step-by-Step Therapy Guide (Targeted)
1. π¦ Bacterial Infections (ear, meningitis, sinus, pneumonia, TB ear disease)
Goals: Eradicate infection, prevent permanent damage.
Diagnosis: Ear exam (otoscopy), swab culture, CT if mastoiditis/meningitis suspected.
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Treatment:
1. Broad-spectrum antibiotics (amoxicillin, ceftriaxone; TB β anti-TB regimen).
2. Ear drops with antibiotics for otitis externa/media.
3. Drain pus (myringotomy if severe).
4. Anti-inflammatory meds (NSAIDs).
5. Follow-up audiometry.
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2. π€§ Mucus-Related Sinusitis & Eustachian Tube Blockage
Goals: Clear mucus, restore ventilation.
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Therapy:
1. Steam inhalation with eucalyptus/menthol.
2. Nasal saline irrigation.
3. Decongestants (short-term use).
4. Antihistamines if allergic.
5. Manual therapy: Lymphatic drainage massage around sinuses & neck.
6. Acupressure points (LI20, Bitong, SJ17).
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3. π« Pneumonia-related Deafness (secondary to mucus & infection spread)
Goals: Prevent middle ear fluid accumulation.
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Therapy:
1. Antibiotics per pneumonia type.
2. Chest physiotherapy to clear phlegm.
3. Monitor for otitis media effusion.
4. Breathing exercises to improve lung/ear pressure balance.
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4. π¦ Tuberculosis-related Ear Problems
Goals: Control TB, prevent chronic discharge & ossicular destruction.
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Therapy:
1. Standard anti-TB 6β9 month regimen.
2. Surgical debridement if destructive lesions.
3. Nutritional support (protein, vitamin D, zinc).
4. Hearing rehabilitation (hearing aid if residual loss).