Sensory impairment refers to a condition where one or more of the five senses (vision, hearing, taste, smell, or touch) are diminished or not functioning properly. These impairments can range from mild to severe and can have a significant impact on an individual's daily life and ability to interact with their environment. Sensory impairments can be caused by various factors, including injury, disease, genetics, or aging.

Sensory impairment refers to the challenges or limitations in one's ability to perceive and process information from the external or internal environment through the sensory system. The sensory system is responsible for transmitting sensations to the Central Nervous System (CNS) for perception. Sensory receptors, also known as neural receptors, play a crucial role in this process by converting different forms of energy into action potentials (nerve signals) that are transmitted to the brain.

In the context of special senses, specific receptors are involved:

i) Vision: Rods and cones in the eyes.

ii) Hearing: Hair cells in the ears.

iii) Taste: Taste buds on the tongue.

iv) Smell: Olfactory neurons in the nose.

Sensory impairment refers to a condition where one or more of the primary senses, such as sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste, or spatial awareness, are not functioning at their normal or optimal level. It encompasses individuals who have varying degrees of impairment in their sensory functions. For example, someone who wears glasses due to visual difficulties is considered to have a form of sight impairment, and an individual who experiences hearing challenges and may use a hearing aid is categorized as having a hearing impairment.

It's important to note that sensory impairment does not necessarily imply a complete loss of a sense. Even partial impairments or difficulties in sensory perception are included in this term. Sensory impairments can range from mild to severe, and the extent of the impairment can differ from person to person.

Types of Sensory Impairment: Single (Hearing impairment & Visual Impairment)

Sensory impairments are typically categorized into single or dual impairments, with hearing impairment and visual impairment being the two primary types under the single sensory impairment.

Hearing impairment refers to a partial or complete loss of the ability to hear sounds.

What is hearing?

Hearing is the ability to perceive and interpret sound.

Meaning of hearing impairment

When an individual experiences hearing impairment (HI), it means that they face challenges in clearly perceiving or identifying sounds due to issues within the auditory system. Hearing impairment can vary in degrees and can impact one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral).

Degrees of Hearing Impairment:

1. Mild Hearing Impairment: Individuals with mild HI have difficulty hearing faint or distant sounds, particularly speech. Difficult to identify soft sound such as whispering. Hearing aids are often used to amplify sounds and improve their hearing.

2. Moderate Hearing Impairment: People with moderate HI struggle to hear and understand normal speech, even in relatively quiet environments. They may require more powerful hearing aids or assistive listening devices.

3. Severe Hearing Impairment: Those with severe HI find it challenging to hear sounds, even at higher volumes. They might rely on advanced hearing technology or cochlear implants to increase their auditory experience.

4. Profound Hearing Impairment (Deafness): Profound HI refers to a complete or near-total loss of hearing. Individuals in this category often communicate using sign language or written text.

Types of hearing loss

There are two main types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

This type of hearing loss is like having a problem with your ears' "mechanics." Conductive hearing loss is a type of hearing impairment that results from interference or blockage in the conduction pathways through which sound travels to the inner ear. This interference can occur in various parts of the ear, including the outer ear, ear canal, or middle ear.

Common causes of conductive hearing loss includes:

1. Blockage in the Ear Canal: such as earwax buildup or foreign objects, can prevent sound waves from reaching the eardrum.

2. Ear Infections.

3. Otosclerosis: An abnormal bone growth in the middle ear can restrict the movement of the tiny bones responsible for transmitting sound.

4. Perforated Eardrum: A hole or tear in the eardrum can disrupt sound conduction.

5. Malformation of Ear Structures: Some individuals are born with structural issues in their ear anatomy that lead to conductive hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss typically affects the volume of sound that reaches the inner ear but may not significantly impact a person's ability to understand speech.

Sensorineural hearing loss is another type of hearing impairment that results from damage to the hair cells within the inner ear or the auditory nerves that transmit sound signals to the brain. sensorineural hearing loss affects the ability to perceive and understand sounds properly.

1. Sensitivity to Volume and Clarity: People with sensorineural hearing loss may find that sounds are quieter or less clear. They often have difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.

2. Frequency Specific: Sensorineural hearing loss may affect specific frequencies more than others, making it challenging to hear certain pitches or tones.

3. Permanent and Irreversible: In most cases, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and irreversible.

Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss:

• Aging (Presbycusis)

• Exposure to Loud Noises

• Illnesses and Infections

• Genetic Factors

• Head Trauma or Acoustic Trauma

Mixed hearing loss

Mixed hearing loss is a type of hearing impairment that combines elements of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. In other words, it involves problems with the conduction of sound through the outer or middle ear and damage to the inner ear or auditory nerves.

Conductive hearing loss affects the conduction of sound.

Sensorineural hearing loss affects the ability to perceive and understand sounds properly.

The symptoms of hearing impairment in children can vary depending on their age. Here are some common symptoms for different age groups:

During Infancy:

• 1-3 months old: No response to sudden sounds like banging a door or a ringing doorbell.

• 4-6 months old: Unable to locate the source of sounds.

• 7-9 months old: Doesn't respond when their name is called or to commonly used words like eat ,drink etc.

• 10-12 months old: No response to their names being called

During Childhood:

• Delayed response to sound.

• Difficulty hearing and understanding what others are saying.

• Trouble locating the source of sounds.

• Increased focus on the speaker's facial expressions and lip movements.

• Providing irrelevant answers or misinterpreting instructions.

• Requesting repetition during conversations.

• Struggling to understand speech in noisy environments.

• Turning up the volume of the television or other devices.

• Pronunciation difficulties.

• Delayed language development.

• Poor attention in class.

• Using gestures to express themselves, such as pointing to what they want.

• Becoming easily irritated due to communication difficulties.

These symptoms may indicate hearing impairment in children and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional or audiologist. Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing hearing impairments effectively.

1. Aging (Presbycusis): Gradual hearing loss as a natural part of the aging process. This is often due to changes in the inner ear.

2. Exposure to Loud Noises: Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, such as loud music, industrial noise, or gunfire, can damage the hair cells in the inner ear.

3. Infections: Infections like otitis media (middle ear infection) can cause temporary hearing loss.

4. Earwax Blockage: A buildup of earwax can block the ear canal and reduce hearing.

5. Genetics: Hearing loss can be hereditary, passed down from one or both parents.

6. Medications: Certain medications, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to hearing loss (ototoxic drugs).

7. Head Injuries: Trauma to the head or ear can damage the auditory system and cause hearing loss.

8. Diseases: Some diseases like meningitis, mumps, and Meniere's disease can affect hearing.

9. Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like autoimmune inner ear disease can cause progressive hearing loss.

10. Malformation of the Ear: Some people are born with abnormalities in the ear that can lead to hearing problems.

11. Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis can impair blood flow to the ear and affect hearing.

12. Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves, impacting hearing.

13. Smoking and Poor Diet: These can contribute to vascular problems that may affect hearing.

14. Exposure to Ototoxic Chemicals: Some chemicals, such as solvents and heavy metals, can harm the auditory system.

15. Premature Birth: Babies born prematurely are at a higher risk of hearing loss.

Visual Impairment (VI) refers to varying degrees of vision loss, including blindness. Even those who are severely sight-impaired may have some limited vision, such as distinguishing between light and dark. Visual impairment can result from various conditions affecting the eyes or the brain's visual processing.

Meaning of Visual Impairment: Visual impairment is one of the most challenging physical disabilities because it affects many aspects of an individual's life, including physical, mental, social, vocational, and educational aspects. Visual impairment refers to a significant functional loss of vision that cannot be corrected with medication, surgery, or regular eyeglasses.

Legal Definition: Legally, visual impairment is determined by assessing visual acuity and the field of vision. For example, in the United States, a person is legally blind if their best-corrected vision in their better eye is 20/200 or worse, or their field of vision is restricted to an angle of 20 degrees or less.

Educational Definition: From an educational perspective, a visually impaired child is defined based on how they should be educated. A blind child primarily learns through tactile and auditory materials like Braille. In contrast, a partially sighted child has some remaining useful vision and can use printed materials as part of their educational program.

Sensory Training and Mobility: Visual impairment is compensated for by the sense of touch and hearing. Touch helps individuals understand their surroundings and objects, while hearing plays a crucial role in mobility. For example, various sounds and smells provide information about the environment, enhancing a visually impaired person's confidence in moving around.

Meaning:

Dual sensory impairment, also known as deaf-blindness, refers to a condition where an individual experiences both hearing and vision impairment simultaneously. It's essential to understand that not all deaf-blind individuals have a total loss of both senses; many have varying degrees of hearing and vision loss. Deaf-blindness or dual sensory impairment is typically used when these combined losses make communication, mobility, and accessing information challenging.

Challenges of Dual Sensory Impairment:

The combination of both sensory impairments compounds the difficulties faced by the individual. This means that a person with deaf-blindness may struggle to access services designed for individuals with only hearing or vision impairments. Dual sensory impairment requires a unique and specialized approach to meet the individual's needs.

Effects on Development:

Deaf-blindness significantly impacts various areas of development, including language acquisition, conceptual development, motor skills, behavior, and personality. It presents complex challenges, and individuals with deaf-blindness often require specialized communication methods and systems to facilitate interaction with their surroundings.

Categories of Deaf-Blind Individuals:

Deaf-blind individuals can be categorized into two groups:

1. Congenital Deaf-Blindness: These individuals are born with both hearing and vision impairments. This category may also include those born with one ability but who later become deaf-blind due to accidents or illnesses, usually within the first few months of life. The key factor is that they become deaf-blind before acquiring formal language skills.

2. Acquired Deaf-Blindness: Individuals in this group develop deaf-blindness later in life. This can happen in three ways:

   • Those born blind who later develop a hearing impairment.

   • Those born deaf who later develop a vision impairment.

   • Those born with both sight and hearing who later develop vision and hearing impairments.

Symptoms of Deafblindness:

Deafblindness is a condition characterized by varying degrees of hearing and vision loss, and its symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

Hearing Loss:

• Hearing loss may be present from birth or develop later in life due to factors like infections or injuries.

• Sounds and speech may seem muffled or indistinct to someone with hearing loss.

• Understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments, can be challenging.

• People with hearing problems often need to turn up the volume on electronic devices and request others to speak loudly, slowly, and clearly.

Sight Loss:

• A person with deafblindness might have conditions that cause gradual vision deterioration, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinopathy.

• Common symptoms of progressive sight loss include eye pain, blurred vision, halos around light sources, reduced night vision, and difficulty seeing in bright sunlight or well-lit rooms.

• Sight and hearing loss might be congenital (present from birth) or acquired later in life due to causes like meningitis, brain injury, or inherited conditions.

Causes of Deafblindness:

Deafblindness can have various causes, making diagnosis and identification of sight and hearing loss challenging. Some common causes include:

• Infections during pregnancy

• Prematurity

• Rare syndromes like Usher and CHARGE

• Illnesses and accidents

• Sensory loss related to old age

Rubella is a contagious viral infection caused by the rubella virus. It's often referred to as the "German measles." Rubella is usually a mild disease, and many people infected with rubella may not even realize they have it. The symptoms of rubella can include a mild rash, a low-grade fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. However, rubella can be especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in their babies

Rubella Congenital Syndrome

Rubella Congenital Syndrome (CRS) is a condition that affects babies born to mothers who contract rubella during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman is infected with rubella, the virus can be transmitted to her developing fetus, and this can lead to a range of birth defects and health problems in the baby. CRS can result in conditions such as:

• Congenital Heart Disease: Babies with CRS may have heart defects.

• Hearing Loss: Hearing impairment is a common consequence of CRS.

• Eye Abnormalities: CRS can cause eye issues, including cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness.

• Central Nervous System Abnormalities: Affected babies may experience developmental delays and intellectual disabilities.

• Growth Retardation: Some infants with CRS may have growth problems.

• Liver and Spleen Damage: CRS can lead to liver and spleen issues.

Hearing is a fundamental and crucial sensory function that plays a significant role in human life. Hearing is not just a sensory function; it's a fundamental aspect of our daily lives, impacting our physical, emotional, and social well-being.

1. Communication: Hearing is essential for communication. It allows us to listen and understand spoken language, communicate with others, and engage in meaningful conversations. Hearing impairment can lead to difficulties in understanding and participating in verbal interactions.

2. Social Interaction: Hearing enables social interaction and the formation of relationships. It allows us to engage with friends, family, and colleagues through spoken words, laughter, and shared experiences. Hearing impairment can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion.

3. Safety: Hearing serves as a vital warning system for potential dangers in our environment. We rely on our sense of hearing to detect sirens, alarms, approaching vehicles, and other auditory cues that signal danger.

4. Learning and Education: Hearing plays a pivotal role in the education process. Children with hearing loss may struggle with language development, reading, and academic performance. Hearing aids and educational support can mitigate these challenges.

5. Work and Employment: In the workplace, hearing is critical for effective communication, collaboration, and job performance. Hearing impairment can impact career opportunities and advancement.

6. Emotional Well-Being: Hearing contributes to emotional well-being and quality of life. It allows us to express emotions through speech and experience the emotional nuances in others' voices.

7. Independence: Hearing helps individuals maintain independence in daily life. It allows us to follow instructions, navigate the environment, and perform routine tasks.

8. Cognitive Function: Research suggests that hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of conditions like dementia. Hearing helps us stay mentally sharp and engaged.

9. Economic Opportunities: Many professional and vocational roles require effective communication and listening skills. Hearing impairment can limit employment options and earning potential.

The process of hearing is a complex and fascinating physiological phenomenon. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Sound Waves: Hearing begins with the presence of sound waves in the environment. Sound is a form of energy that travels through the air as waves, caused by vibrations.

2. Outer Ear: The outer ear includes the pinna (auricle), the visible part of the ear, and the ear canal (external auditory meatus). The pinna collects sound waves from the surroundings and funnels them into the ear canal.

3. Ear Canal: The ear canal directs the gathered sound waves toward the eardrum (tympanic membrane). As sound waves travel down the ear canal, they hit the eardrum.

4. Middle Ear: The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. When sound waves reach the eardrum, they cause it to vibrate. This vibration is then transmitted to three tiny bones in the middle ear: the hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). These three ossicles form a chain of bones that amplify and transmit the vibrations.

5. Inner Ear: The amplified vibrations from the stapes bone are passed into the cochlea, a fluid-filled, spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear. The cochlea contains highly sensitive hair cells. As the vibrations travel through the fluid, they cause the hair cells to move.

6. Hair Cell Stimulation: When the hair cells in the cochlea move, they generate electrical signals. The movement of hair cells is specific to the frequency (pitch) of the sound. Different hair cells are stimulated based on the sound's frequency. This creates a pattern of electrical signals.

7. Auditory Nerve: The electrical signals generated by the hair cells are transmitted via the auditory nerve to the brain. The auditory nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that connects the inner ear to the brain.

8. Auditory Perception: In the brain (primarily in the temporal lobe), these electrical signals are processed and interpreted. The brain deciphers these signals to recognize various characteristics of the sound, such as quality, pitch, volume, location, and timing. This interpretation is what we experience as hearing. It allows us to perceive and understand the sound, whether it's music, speech, or any other auditory information.

Process of hearing involves the coordinated efforts of the outer, middle, and inner ear, as well as the auditory nerve and the brain.

The human ear is a complex organ responsible for both hearing and balance. It is divided into three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

1. Outer Ear:

   • Pinna (Auricle): The pinna, or auricle, is the visible, fleshy part of the ear that we see on the sides of our heads. It collects sound waves from the surrounding environment and funnels them into the ear canal.

   • Ear Canal (External Auditory Meatus): The ear canal is a narrow, tube-like structure that extends from the pinna to the eardrum. It acts like a passageway for sound waves to travel further into the ear. The ear canal also contains special glands that produce earwax (cerumen), which helps protect the ear and keep it clean.

2. Middle Ear:

   • Eardrum (Tympanic Membrane): The eardrum is a thin, delicate membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear. When sound waves enter the ear canal and strike the eardrum, they cause it to vibrate. This vibration is the first step in the process of converting sound into electrical signals that the brain can understand.

   • Ossicles (Hammer, Anvil, and Stirrup): The middle ear contains three small bones known as ossicles. These bones are the malleus (hammer) It is a hammer shaped bone which has two handle, incus (anvil) second smaller bone of the ossicular chain ,It is an anvil shaped bone with the head and two handle like structures. The head of the malleus is attached to the head of the incus. The long handle of the incus is attached to the third ossicle called Stapes and stapes (stirrup)is the smallest bone not only in the middle ear but also in the whole body. It is a stirrup shaped bone with a small head and an oval shapped footplate. Among all three ossicles, stapes plays very vital role in both transmission and amplification of sound waves from middle ear to inner ear. . When the eardrum vibrates, it moves these ossicles in a chain-like fashion. The ossicles serve to amplify the vibrations and transmit them from the eardrum to the inner ear.

3. Inner Ear:

   • Cochlea: The cochlea is a spiral-shaped, fluid-filled structure located deep within the inner ear. It is responsible for converting mechanical sound vibrations into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The cochlea is lined with thousands of tiny hair cells that move in response to sound vibrations. These hair cells translate the vibrations into electrical signals, which are then sent to the brain through the auditory nerve.

   • Vestibular System: Alongside the cochlea, the inner ear houses the vestibular system, which plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation. This system includes fluid-filled canals and sensory organs that detect head movements and body position.

   • Auditory Nerve: The auditory nerve is a bundle of nerve fibers that carries electrical signals from the cochlea to the brain. Once the hair cells in the cochlea generate electrical signals in response to sound, the auditory nerve conveys this information to the brain, specifically the auditory cortex, where it is processed, allowing us to perceive and understand the sound.

Hearing impairment can be categorized in various ways, taking into account factors such as the age of onset, location of the problem, nature of the impairment, degree of impairment, and the cause.

• Congenital Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss is present at birth or occurs before language development begins. It may be due to genetic factors, prenatal infections, or other congenital conditions.

• Adventitious Hearing Loss: This refers to hearing loss that occurs after a person has already acquired speech and language. It can result from infections, diseases, or damage to the hearing mechanism and typically happens later in life.

• Conductive Hearing Loss: Conductive hearing loss occurs when problems are located in the outer ear or middle ear. This type of hearing loss often results from conditions like ear infections or issues with the ear canal, eardrum, or middle ear bones (ossicles). Conductive hearing loss is usually treatable.

• Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by issues in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. It's often associated with damage to the hair cells in the cochlea or the nerves that transmit sound signals to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss can be congenital or acquired, and it's typically not reversible.

• Gradual Hearing Impairment: Gradual hearing impairment, also known as progressive hearing loss, refers to a slow deterioration of hearing sensitivity over time. This can result from factors like aging, hereditary conditions, or chronic infections.

• Sudden Hearing Impairment: Sudden hearing impairment occurs when a person experiences partial or complete hearing loss in one or both ears overnight. It is usually associated with a one-time insult or injury to the auditory system and is often of the sensorineural type.

• Hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB). The degree of hearing loss can be classified as follows:

  • Normal Hearing: -10 dB to 25 dB

  • Mild Hearing Loss: 26 dB to 40 dB

  • Moderate Hearing Loss: 41 dB to 55 dB

  • Severe Hearing Loss: 56 dB to 70 dB

  • Total Deafness: Beyond 91 dB

  • Profound Hearing Loss: 71 dB to 90 dB

• Exogenous Hearing Impairment: This type of hearing loss is caused by factors other than heredity, including prenatal, natal, postnatal, and infection-related factors, noise exposure, and aging.

• Endogenous Hearing Impairment: Heredity is the sole causative factor for this type of hearing loss. It may be transmitted as a dominant or recessive characteristic.

• Idiopathic Hearing Impairment: This category encompasses hearing loss with an unknown cause or pathology. In such cases, the exact reason for the hearing impairment is unclear.

It refers to hearing impairment that is present at birth or shortly after birth. It can have various underlying causes, which can be categorized into congenital causes. Here is a detailed explanation of congenital causes of hearing loss:

1. Hereditary Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss is passed down from one or both parents to their child. It can result from genetic mutations and may be present in multiple generations of a family.

2. Non-Hereditary Genetic Factors: These include genetic abnormalities that are not inherited but arise spontaneously during fetal development. These genetic factors can lead to congenital hearing loss.

3. Complications During Pregnancy and Childbirth:

   • Maternal Rubella, Syphilis, or Infections During Pregnancy: Certain infections contracted by the mother during pregnancy, such as rubella and syphilis, can increase the risk of congenital hearing loss in the newborn.

   • Low Birth Weight: Babies born with low birth weight, especially prematurely, are at a higher risk of developing hearing loss.

   • Birth Asphyxia: If a newborn experiences a lack of oxygen during the birthing process, it can result in damage to the auditory system, leading to congenital hearing loss.

   • Inappropriate Use of Specific Drugs During Pregnancy: Some medications, including aminoglycosides, cytotoxic drugs, antimalarial drugs, and diuretics, can have adverse effects on the developing fetus, potentially causing congenital hearing loss.

   • Severe Jaundice in the Neonatal Period: Severe jaundice, a condition characterized by high levels of bilirubin in a newborn's blood, can lead to hearing loss by damaging the hearing nerve.

4. Defects in Any Part of the Ear:

   • Congenital hearing loss can occur due to defects in any part of the ear, including the external ear, middle ear, or inner ear. These defects may affect the transmission of sound or the function of auditory structures.

5. Underlying Causes:

   • Chromosomal Abnormalities: Genetic mutations and inherited problems linked to chromosomal abnormalities can lead to congenital hearing loss.

   • Diseases Associated with Prenatal Infection: Infections contracted during pregnancy can affect fetal development and result in hearing loss.

   • Maternal Drug Abuse: If expectant mothers abuse certain drugs during pregnancy, it can negatively impact the developing auditory system in the fetus.

   • Environmental Factors: Environmental influences during pregnancy, such as exposure to toxins or infections, can contribute to congenital hearing loss.

   • Iatrogenic Causes: Some congenital hearing loss cases may be a result of medical interventions during pregnancy or birth.

   • Abnormalities of Unknown Aetiology: In some instances, the exact cause of congenital hearing loss remains unknown.

Acquired causes of hearing loss can occur at any age and are not present at birth. These causes can lead to hearing impairment and are often the result of various factors and conditions.

1. Infectious Diseases:

   • Various infectious diseases can lead to acquired hearing loss. Some of these diseases include:

     • Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

     • Measles and Mumps: Viral infections that can cause complications affecting the ears.

     • Encephalitis: Inflammation of the brain, which may result in hearing loss.

     • Chickenpox: While less common, severe cases of chickenpox can lead to hearing loss.

     • Influenza (Flu): Certain strains of the flu virus can have complications involving the ears and hearing.

2. Chronic Ear Infections:

   • Chronic ear infections, particularly those affecting the middle ear, can result in hearing loss. These infections can damage the delicate structures of the ear.

3. Otitis Media (Fluid in the Ear):

   • Otitis media refers to the collection of fluid in the middle ear. This can occur due to various factors, such as infections or eustachian tube dysfunction, and may lead to conductive hearing loss.

4. Use of Specific Drugs:

   • Some medications, including certain antibiotics and antimalarial drugs, can have ototoxic (ear-damaging) effects and potentially cause hearing loss

5. Head or Ear Injury:

   • Trauma to the head or ear can result in hearing loss. This injury may affect the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear structures.

6. Excessive Noise Exposure:

   • Prolonged exposure to loud noises can lead to acquired hearing loss. This can be due to various sources, including:

     • Occupational Noise: Long-term exposure to loud machinery, equipment, or workplace noise.

     • Recreational Noise: Noise from personal audio devices, concerts, nightclubs, bars, sporting events, and other leisure activities.

7. Aging (Presbycusis):

   • Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is a common form of acquired hearing impairment. It occurs due to the natural degeneration of sensory cells in the inner ear over time.

8. Ear Canal Blockage:

   • Hearing loss may occur when the ear canal is blocked by foreign objects or excessive earwax buildup, hindering sound transmission to the eardrum.

9. Chronic Otitis Media:

   • Chronic otitis media, characterized by recurrent middle ear infections or inflammation, is a leading cause of hearing loss among children. The persistent inflammation can affect the middle ear structures