There are many different types of diseases that can cause hearing loss. The diseases are usually during the childhood years, but teens and adults can get them if proper vaccination as a child is not given. The hearing loss may be immediate or delayed, depending on the disease and the severity of the case.

The first disease that can cause hearing loss is rubella. Rubella is also called the German measles. The measles are usually a mild disease and pass with no complications other than annoyance to the affected person. However, without a vaccine, a child or even a pregnant mother can have a serious case of the illness which damages the developing audio system. Normally, the rubella that causes problems is a congenital form, which causes auditory defects of the ears and usually deafness occurs.

The next disease that can cause hearing loss is meningitis. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes. There are different types of meningitis, such as viral or bacterial, and some are severe while others aren't so dangerous. In severe cases, the membranes surrounding the brain stem swell and cause abnormal pressure, resulting in hearing loss which may be temporary or permanent, depending on how long the membranes are swollen and if any damage is done to the nerves. If damage is done to the nerves, then it can never be repaired. If swelling goes down quickly, then damage may be restored.

A third type of disease that can cause hearing loss is CMV, or cytomegalovirus. CMV is a virus that belongs to the herpes family and affects the salivary glands. In severe cases, especially those that aren't treated, varying degrees of loss to the hearing occurs. Most often hearing loss develops when the pregnant mother has the disease and passes it to the fetus, who is not protected.

Another disease causing hearing loss is called glue ear. Glue ear is when the middle ear is infected and inflamed. When the inflammation and infection are not treated, it can cause a buildup of pus and when it ruptures, the pus will ooze out of the ear. Untreated, the infection causes damage to the inner ear and the ear drum. Glue ear most commonly affects those under seven years of age, but occasionally adults can have it too.

There is no way to reverse hearing loss from a disease. Prevention is the best way to stave off any type of hearing loss. Prevention means not only getting your infants and children vaccinated, but having the female receive the vaccinations before becoming pregnant. A pregnant mother is vulnerable to diseases, and the fetus she carries is even more so, because they haven't had a chance to build any immunity or get vaccines. Most of these diseases are preventable with a simple shot, received as an infant in one or two visits. If you don't get the shots when they are scheduled, your doctor can get you caught up very easily in one or two visits.