When a sound wave comes to your ear it goes through the canal into your inner ear. The sound waves strike the eardrum. Small bones attached to the eardrum amplify the vibrations which in turn travels through a liquid in the cochlea which moves tiny hair-like cells that send electronic impulses to the brain.

Hearing loss can be caused by any part or parts that do not work correctly. You may be born with some of these parts missing or not working. You may damage a part after you are born by disease or accidents.