Certain illnesses, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, anddiabetes, put ears at risk by interfering with the ears' blood supply. Otosclerosis is a bone disease of the middle ear and Ménière's diseaseaffects the inner ear. Both can cause hearing loss.

Trauma, especially that which involves a skull fracture or punctured eardrum, puts ears at serious risk for hearing loss.

Infection or ear waxcan block ear canals and reduce hearing.