The Leading Causes Of Hearing Loss And How To Handle Them
Our hearing is an aspect of our health that is very easy to take for granted. Most of us go through the majority of our lives without any need to consider it further, but when it starts to change, it can be deeply affecting. There are a range of different causes of hearing loss, and knowing which might be affecting you or at least risk of affecting you can help you find strategies to combat it. Here, we’ll take a closer look at them.
Exposure To Loud Noises
One of the most common causes of hearing loss across all age groups, prolonged exposure to loud noise should be avoided as best as possible. Any noises over 75 dB can be a danger, and this can include concerts, power tools, construction sites, or even listening to music on your headphones at max volume. To handle this, consider wearing protective gear like earplugs or earmuffs in noisy environments. For personal listening, follow the 60/60 rule: keep volume below 60% and limit listening to under 60 minutes at a time. Protecting your ears today helps preserve your hearing for years to come.
Earwax Buildup
Another very common cause of hearing loss in people across age groups is the buildup of earwax. Although this is a naturally occurring and important substance for cleaning out and protecting the ear canal, some people can experience excessive buildup. This type of hearing loss is usually temporary and easily cleared with an earwax removal appointment. However, it’s important to have this handled professionally and to most definitely avoid trying to use cotton swabs to clean it out, as this can often push it in further and risk causing injury or infection to the ear.
Age
Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is the leading cause of long-term hearing loss. Our body changes as we get older, and this includes in the ears, where the hair cells in our inner ears that pick up and transmit sounds can begin to die off. This tends to affect both ears at once, and the most common form of treatment is the prescription of hearing aids that are designed to help boost your range of hearing once again.
Medical Conditions
There are a few medical conditions that can cause or contribute to hearing loss. From chronic ear infections to allergies or any conditions that cause fluid buildup in the sinuses. This is why it’s important, for instance, not to have a hearing test done while you have a cold or the flu, as the fluid buildup can mess with the results. Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that support hearing function, increasing the risk of impairment. For that reason, it’s always important to bring up any underlying issues when talking to a healthcare professional about your hearing.
Hearing loss can affect anyone, and it’s important to realise that it’s not always possible to undo or reverse. The tips above can make sure that you’re looking after your ear health no matter what, however.
