Final answer:
Various reasons, such as aging, noise exposure, infections, or congenital deafness, can contribute to hearing loss in adults and young children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hearing loss can occur due to various reasons in adults and young children. One common cause is sensorineural hearing loss, which can be a result of aging, excessive noise exposure, infections, medications, tumors, or exposure to toxins. Conductive hearing loss is another type that can occur due to issues in the middle or inner ear such as blockage, a hole in the eardrum, or problems with the ossicles. Additionally, congenital deafness, which is being born without hearing, can also contribute to hearing loss in both adults and children.