Hearing loss is not actually inevitable, even though it is common. The truth is, the majority of people will start to become aware of a change in their hearing as they age. That change is really the effect of a lot of years of listening to sound. Prevention is the best means of controlling the extent of the loss and how rapidly it advances, which is the case with most things in life. Later on in life, the extent of your hearing loss will be determined by the choices you make now. Concerning the health of your ears, it’s never too late to care or too soon to start. You really want to keep your hearing from becoming worse, but what can you do?
Understanding Hearing Loss
Understanding what causes most hearing loss begins with finding out how the ears actually work. Age-related hearing loss, known medically as presbycusis, is affecting one in every three people in the U.S. between the ages of 64 and 74. It is an accumulation of damage to the ears over time. Presbycusis is slight at first and then gets progressively worse.
Sound waves reach the inner ear only after having been amplified several times by the ear canal. Sound waves jiggle very little hairs that bump into chemical releasing structures. These chemicals are transformed into electrical signals which the brain interprets as sound.
The negative aspect to all this movement and oscillation is that the hair cells ultimately break down and stop working. These hair cells don’t repair themselves, either, so once they’re gone, they don’t come back. The sound is not converted into a signal that the brain can comprehend without those little vibrating hairs.
What’s behind this hair cell damage? There are lots of contributing variables such as normal aging. Sound waves come in different strengths, however; that is what’s known as volume. More damage is done to the hair cells if they receive stronger sound waves, and that means a higher volume of sound.
There are some other factors aside from exposure to loud sound. Also, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic ailments will have a strong effect.
How to Take Care Of Your Hearing
You should depend on consistent hearing hygiene to protect your ears over time. Volume is at the root of the problem. Sound is measured in decibels and the higher the decibel level the more damaging the noise. It doesn’t take as much as you might think to lead to damage. A noise is too loud if you have to raise your voice to talk over it.
Everyone has to cope with the random loud noise but continued exposure or even just a few loud minutes at a time is enough to affect your hearing later in life. Fortunately protecting your hearing from expected loud noises is pretty easy. Use hearing protection when you:
- Ride a motorcycle
- Go to a performance
- Do something where the noise is loud.
- Run power equipment
Avoid using accessories made to amplify and isolate sound, also, like headphones and earbuds. The old-fashioned way is a less dangerous way to listen to music and that means at a reduced volume.
Day-to-Day Noises That Can Become an Issue
Enough noise can be produced, even by common household sounds, to become a hearing hazard over time. When you purchase an appliance for your house, check the noise rating of the product. Try to use appliances that have a lower noise rating.
If you are out at a crowded restaurant or party, don’t be afraid to speak up if the noise gets too loud. The party’s host, or perhaps even the restaurant manager might be willing to help accommodate for your issue.
Be Aware of Noise Levels at Work
If your job exposes you to loud noises like equipment, then do something about it. Invest in your own ear protection if it’s not provided by your boss. There are numerous products out there that will protect you such as:
- Headphones
- Earmuffs
- Earplugs
The chances are good that if you bring up the concern, your manager will listen.
Stop Smoking
Add hearing to the list of reasons to quit smoking. Studies demonstrate that cigarette smokers are much more likely to get age-related hearing loss. If you are subjected to second-hand smoke this is also true.
Check And Double Check Your Medications
Ototoxic medications are known to cause damage to your ears. A few typical culprits include:
- Aspirin
- NSAIDS
- Narcotic analgesics
- Antidepressants and mood stabilizers
- Certain antibiotics
- Cardiac medication
- Diuretics
There are many other items that go on this list, including some over the counter and some prescription medications. If you take pain relievers, do so only when necessary and check the labels. If you are not sure about a drug, ask your doctor before taking it.
Treat Your Body Well
Regular exercise and a good diet are things you should do for your general health but they are also important to your hearing health as well. Do what is required to deal with your high blood pressure like taking your medication and decreasing sodium consumption. The better you care for your health, the lower your chances of chronic health problems that might cost you your hearing over time, like diabetes.
Last but not least, get your hearing examined if you suspect you may have hearing loss or if you hear ringing in your ears. The sooner you realize you have a problem, the sooner you can do something about it, like getting hearing aids. Schedule an appointment with a hearing expert to keep any issues from getting worse. It’s never too late.