Deafness may be temporary or permanent. It can be further classified into conductive deafness and sensory-neural deafness. Possible causes for conductive deafness may be due to
1. Blockage of ear canal with earwax
2. Rupture of eardrum
3. Middle ear infection with fluid accumulation
4. Restriction of ossicular movement.
In sensory-neural deafness, the defect may be in the organ of Corti or the auditory nerve or in the ascending auditory pathways or auditory cortex.