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Many people may think that hearing loss is most often present at birth due to heredity or genetic disorders, but most cases of hearing loss occur during the persons life. How do you lose your hearing in childhood and adulthood?

The leading cause of hearing loss is exposure to noise. Many people consider hearing loss to be a natural part of the aging process, but hearing loss from aging is usually considered to be due to noise exposure throughout their lifetime. Hearing loss from exposure to noise is often called noise-induced hearing loss.

Noise exposure induced hearing loss can begin as early as late adolescence or early adulthood. A slight, gradual hearing loss due to noise exposure is normal and may not be noticeable. It can be progressively worse as the person ages.

Some occupations with noisy environments put the employees at risk of hearing loss. This is sometimes called occupational hearing loss.

Manufacturing and woodworking employees may experience hearing loss if they do not wear protection like earplugs. Musicians are at high risk for hearing loss.

Ear infections do not usually cause hearing loss, but a severe ear infection can cause permanent damage. Recurrent or untreated ear infections can lead to hearing loss.

A genetic ear disease called otosclerosis can cause the growth of spongy bone. These growths can develop in the middle ear or inner ear and cause permanent hearing loss.

Trauma to the auditory nerve or inner ear can cause permanent hearing loss. Car accidents and interpersonal violence that causes head trauma can injure the structure of the ear or auditory nerve.

An eardrum can become perforated due to sudden changes in air pressure from being close to an explosion or the insertion of an object into the ear canal. Most ruptured eardrums heal without treatment, but severe ruptures may require surgery to repair the eardrum and restore hearing.

Manic episodes are the defining symptoms of bipolar I disorder. The characteristics of manic episodes are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) which is the book used to diagnose mental illnesses.

The fundamental symptom of manic episodes is either an abnormally elevated mood or irritable mood. The mood disturbance must last at least one week or cause hospitalization in order to be considered a true manic episode.

An elevated mood requires three other manic symptoms during the mood disturbance to be considered a manic episode. The presence of irritability needs to have four other manic symptoms to constitute a manic episode.

Grandiosity or elevated self-esteem is a possible symptom of mania. During manic episodes, people often need less sleep than usual. The person may only sleep a few hours and not feel tired.

Being talkative is a symptom of mania. A manic episode may cause racing thoughts which is observable by others as a flight of ideas.

Another symptom of manic episodes is distractibility. The person may be easily distracted and have difficulty focusing. A possible symptom of mania is an increased involvement in goal-oriented activities.

One last possible symptom of mania is participating in activities for pleasure without consideration of the consequences. Excessive spending, promiscuity, and drug use are examples of some of these behaviors.

Hallucinations and delusions can be caused by mania. The hallucinations and delusions reflect grandiosity. The person may believe they have a superpower or are chosen by a higher authority.

Symptoms of mania must not be caused by a medical condition, drugs, or medications if they are to be considered evidence of a manic episode. The symptoms must cause impairment in the persons occupational, educational, or interpersonal functioning to be considered a manic episode.