Loud sounds are especially damaging to the inner ear (cochlea). Hearing loss can be caused by a single exposure to excessively loud noises or by listening to loud sounds over an extended period of time. Loud sounds can harm the cochlea's cells and membranes. This can lead to hearing loss. The outer ear (pinna) is also vulnerable to excessive force. It can become bruised, torn, or develop a cut when hit forcefully against something hard. This type of injury usually does not cause hearing loss unless it allows fluid to enter the ear drum. That happens when the ear drum is perforated by glass or metal. The fluid inside the ear pushes the drum up against the eardrum, which causes pain and hearing loss. If you listen to loud music for long periods of time, you may damage your hearing. Hearing loss is one of the most common problems associated with listening to loud music. Hearing loss due to excessive noise occurs in two stages. In the early stage, high-frequency sounds are affected first. As the disease progresses, lower frequency sounds are lost as well. People who suffer from hearing loss often report that some songs sound fine at low volumes but hurt at higher levels. This is because they cannot hear the low frequencies in songs anymore. Excessive noise can also cause psychological effects like anxiety and depression.