Importance of Hearing Health
Signs of
Hearing Loss
Many cases of hearing loss occur gradually, over the course of a few years. For this reason, it can be difficult to notice changes in hearing right away. If you are over the age of 55, you should have annual hearing screenings to catch any hearing loss early.
Here are some common indicators of hearing loss:
- Voices seem muffled
- You can hear but you lack clarity
- It’s difficult to hear when there is background noise
- It seems like the people around you mumble
- You frequently ask people to repeat themselves
- You miss words in a conversation
- You need the volume on the TV turned up louder than others like
- You hear a ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the hair cells (responsible for hearing) in the inner ear or to the hearing nerve. There are many potential causes, including:
- Age
- Genetics
- Loud noise exposure
- Ototoxic medications
- Head trauma or concussions
- Circulatory disorders
To properly identify the cause of your hearing loss, a comprehensive hearing check is necessary.
Comorbidities Associated with Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can sometimes be the result of another underlying health condition. Heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes can all affect the blood vessels of the inner ear. Because the inner ear is so sensitive to changes, these circulatory conditions can cause hearing loss.
Heart disease can cause inadequate blood flow, which can result in trauma to the blood vessels of the inner ear, contributing to hearing loss.
Diabetes can damage the circulatory system as well. The same glucose overload that destroys other parts of the body due to diabetes can also diminish hearing.
If you have any health conditions that may cause hearing loss, contact us for a hearing exam. We can identify hearing loss early, so you can be proactive of your overall health.
