HIDDEN DANGERS OF UNTREATED HEARING LOSS

Most people think that hearing loss is a condition that only affects their ears. In reality, untreated hearing loss can affect so much more. There are now many researches that reveal untreated hearing loss can have significant negative consequences on an individual’s physical, mental and social health. Even though hearing impairment can often be easily corrected, only a few take advantage of available solutions. In this article, we will discuss the hidden dangers of untreated hearing loss.

 

Increased Risk of Cognitive Decline

Hearing loss causes cognitive load, which is the effect of constantly trying to understand speech. This actually stresses the brain. Brain imaging shows that older adults with hearing loss have less gray matter in the brain that receives and process sounds from the ears. Researchers report that the more severe the hearing impairment, the greater the risk of developing dementia.

 

Withdrawal from Social Activities

Frustrations with the inability to hear and understand conversations can frequently cause individual to avoid restaurants, meeting or other social gatherings. Relationships with friends, families and loved ones also can also be adversely affected when individuals experience a decrease in their willingness to socialize or engage in conversation when they consistently fail to hear and understand others’ speech properly.

 

High Level of Fatigue

People with hearing loss report a higher level of fatigue, both physically and emotionally. This is because, due to the hearing impairment they have to be extra focused on other senses to stay alert. This extra work, will make them wear themselves down to keep up with their friends and colleagues. This situation can lead to chronic fatigue, anxiety and even depression in certain individuals.

 

Reduced Work Performance & Lower Income

For people who are still in the workforce, hearing loss can also be associated with reduced job performance and lower income. Untreated hearing loss can significantly affect an individual’s ability to do his / her work efficiently. As an instance, this individual will face difficulties in capturing all the details in meeting, and keeping up with the clients and co-workers. This situation can cause people to miss opportunities in their career, whether directly or indirectly.

 

Developmental Consequences

Last but not least, if hearing loss is left untreated in children, it can lead to developmental consequences. Children can be born with hearing loss (congenital). It can also develop some time after birth (acquired). Some of the parents may not notice that their child is having hearing loss. It is important for children to be diagnosed as early as possible to get proper treatment plan. A child with impaired hearing can have learning difficulties, low self-esteem and develop behavioral problems.

We can safely say, there are many hidden dangers of untreated hearing loss. The path to treating hearing loss for every person sometimes begins with a simple hearing assessment. Thus, if you or someone you know is having hearing loss, please get an appointment for a hearing test with an audiologist or hearing care professional.

 

InnoHear Hotline: +6017 638 7247

#innohear #sedardengar #premiumhearingaidsmadeaffordable

REFERENCES

1.     Lin FR, Thorpe R, Gordon-Salant S, Ferrucci L. Hearing loss prevalence and risk factors among older adults in the United States. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2011;66A(5):582-590.

2.      http://familyaudiologyonline.com/resources/hidden-consequences/

https://journals.lww.com/thehearingjournal/Fulltext/2013/02001/Hearing_Loss_Linked_to_Unemployment

RISK FACTORS OF HEARING LOSS

Most people assume that hearing loss is one of the insignificant parts of aging. For that reason, many of us take it lightly on taking care of hearing. However nowadays we can see that even some of the younger adults (even the millennials) are starting to have reduced hearing, by virtue of their lifestyle.  This scenario can become disastrous if the trend of hearing loss keeps on rising as it can greatly impact our daily live routine such as working, socialising and many more. Thus, this article will discuss the risk factors that are making individuals more susceptible to having hearing loss.

A.     Ototoxic Medications

Ototoxic are medications that can cause hearing loss, ringing in the ear or balance disorders. There are more than 200 ototoxic medications, which include antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, aspirin and many more. The problems caused by these drugs can sometimes be reversed when the drug therapy is discontinued but, in most cases, the damage is permanent. It is important to discuss with your doctor the potential for hearing or balance disturbance of any drug you are taking. For cases in which the drugs cannot be stopped or changed, patients are advised to meet audiologist to take steps to manage the effects of the hearing loss.

B.      Association with Other Illnesses and Syndromes

In addition, hearing loss has high association with several illnesses and diseases. They can be both congenital (during pregnancy or childbirth) and acquired, which lead to hearing loss at any age. As an instance, autosomal dominant syndromes that cause hearing loss are Waardenburg syndrome and Treacher Collins syndrome. Moreover, those who have history of chronic ear diseases such as otosclerosis or ear infections are likely to suffer from permanent hearing loss. Recent studies also observed that individual with diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease are also at a higher risk to develop hearing loss.

C.      Exposure to Damaging Loud Sounds

The risk of hearing loss from loud sounds is dependent on the exposure duration, sound intensity and genetic vulnerability of individual. Listening to loud sounds for a long time like listening to very loud music, industrial noises, or even a single exposure to an extreme loud sound like an explosion can overwork the hair cells in the inner ears. Repeated exposure can cause these cells to die and also damage the auditory nerve. Early damage may not be noticeable but it can reduce the ability to understand speech in noisy environment. Eventually, if the hearing loss continues, it can cause difficulties to understand speech even in quiet places. Thus, avoid listening to loud sounds and for individual who are usually exposed to noise, please wear appropriate hearing protection devices.

  

D.     The New Norm: Smoking and Vaping

Several studies have shown that smoking and vaping increase the risk of hearing loss. According to Browning et. al. (1986), the nicotine found in cigarette and vape increases the blood viscosity which leads to reduced blood flow to the inner ears, the organs that are responsible to change sound waves to electrical signals and transmit them to the brain. Comparison between industrial workers who work in noisy environment also shows a statistically significant hearing loss in workers who are smokers compared to the non-smokers. This result suggests that smokers are at increased risk of noise-induced hearing loss (Barone et. al 1987).

In conclusion, there are many factors that can increase the risk of hearing loss that we must be aware of. Hearing is one of the essential parts of our live and without it we may face many difficulties especially to communicate with others. To those who are already noticing that they have a reduction in hearing (or speech understanding), please meet an audiologist or hearing care professional for a hearing test, and further management if needed.

#innohear #sedardengar #premiumhearingaidsmadeaffordable

InnoHear Hotline: +6017 638 7247

REFERENCES

1.       Barone, J. A., Peters, J. M., Garabrant, D. H., Bernstein, L., & Krebsbach, R. (1987). Smoking as a risk factor in noise-induced hearing loss. Journal of occupational medicine.: official publication of the Industrial Medical Association, 29(9), 741-745.

2.       Browning GG, Gatehouse S, Lowe GD. Blood viscosity as a factor in sensorineural hearing impairment. Lancet. 1986;1:121–123