1.AGEING

The most common cause of deafness, around one third of population between ages of 60 -70 yrs have become deaf

2. VIRUSES

Viral infections of middle and inner ear lead to loss of hearing, maternal infections such as rubella, mumps and chicken pox leads to deafness in child

3. DRUGS

Ototoxic drugs such as streptomycin ,diuretics & antimalarials can cause deafness

4.NOISE

Excessive noise can lead to damage of hair cells of cochlea leading to sensorineural deafness, some causes are work related, industrial, music, gunfire..

5.ACCIDENTS

Head injuries , temporal bone and inner ear injuries, perforation of ear drum..

6.HEREDITARY AND GENETIC

Deafness in children may arise from hereditary and genetic factors

7.UNKNOWN

Often the causes of deafness in some are unknown and idiopathic

8.EMOTIONAL FACTORS

Post traumatic stress disorder and depression and emotional and Psychological factors also play a role..