If you find yourself cranking up the volume on the TV higher and higher or get increasingly frustrated trying to hear conversations in groups or crowded places such as restaurants, you are not alone. About 48 million American adults, or approximately 20 percent of the population, report some degree of hearing loss, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).

What Causes Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss, which happens when sound signals don’t reach the brain, can result from several causes, which fall into two primary categories, according to the National Health Service:

Sensorineural Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss results from damage to the hair cells in the inner ear or damage to the auditory nerve, which can occur naturally as a result of aging or as the result of an injury. Also called nerve-related hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is permanent and often will require a hearing aid to correct.

Conductive Hearing Loss: This type of hearing loss typically is caused by a problem with the ear canal, eardrum or the bones in the middle ear, according to the HLAA. It is the result of sounds being unable to travel from the outer ear to the inner ear, resulting from blockages or conditions such as glue ear, in which the middle ear fills with glue-like fluid, dulling hearing. Most forms of conductive hearing loss are temporary and can be treated effectively with medications or minor surgical procedures.

What Are Common Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

While only your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your form of hearing loss, these are some common causes of sensorineural hearing loss. If you have one or more of the following risk factors, you should share this information with your doctor to help in making a proper diagnosis.