There are many things, over the years that can affect our hearing ability. Overexposure to loud noises can affect the shape of our ears. Things like constant loud concerts, loud noise levels on headphones and even loud speaker levels on our cell phones all have an effect on our hearing, over time. Other things, like medical conditions and chronic bacterial infections can also cause hearing loss. These hearing loss conditions can generally not be reversed. Once we cause damage to our ears that causes hearing loss, it is generally permanent. Some surgical procedures can correct minor hearing loss, but for the most part, we are left to deal with reduced hearing loss.
The first step to protecting our hearing ability is to protect our ears, at all times. The NIDCD estimated that approximately 15% of Americans (26 million people) between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to noise at work or during leisure activities. Many of these hearing loss damages can actually be prevented with proper protection of our ears. When you participate in loud activities, such as shooting ranges or loud concerts, you should always wear ear plugs. You will still have the ability to hear the concert music or the shooting guns, but you will also be protecting your ear drums. When you listen to music with earplugs, you should never go beyond the recommended music levels. This could result in requiring hearing aids, earlier than later.
Hearing loss can also be expensive. You will have to purchase assistive listening devices and a hearing aid battery to properly hear, something that once was free for you. Lifetime costs of profound hearing loss can be as much as $1 million per person in the U.S. Some amount of hearing loss is also very common, because of poor listening practices and not protecting the ears. Hearing loss is the 2nd more prevalent health issue globally. The number of people with hearing loss is more than those living with Parkinson?s, epilepsy, Alzheimer?s and diabetes combined. It is a huge problem, that can be somewhat prevented, in some cases.
When hearing loss occurs, you are likely to need hearing aids to improve your hearing. Hearing has become a necessary part of our society. We spend most of our days listening to people or devices. For those with permanent hearing loss, they must learn how to communicate visually instead. For those with minimal or moderate hearing loss, they must be fitted for hearing aids to improve their hearing. They will need to visit with a hearing consultant to be fitted for custom hearing protection, to prevent any further damage and hearing loss from occurring. Additionally, some surgical procedures may be needed for damage to the ears. Some medical conditions and excessive damage to the ears can also lead to ringing ears. Excessive ringing ears may need surgery, hearing aids or simply time to heal. A hearing consultant is a great resource for the improvement of damage to the ears that results in hearing loss.
It is important to protect our ears during many activities. However, many people do not and they experience minimal hearing loss over time. The hearing loss may increase, and eventually they realize, they need to be fitted for hearing aids. Proper protection includes ear plugs during loud events, reduction in noise levels on the TV and reducing sound levels on the cell phone and with ear plugs in. These protections can actually reduce the likeliness of further ear damage that can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. Generally, these damages are not reversible, and one our hearing is gone, we are unable to get it back.