Everyone with Hearing Loss must read
Hearing loss that occurs slowly over time (presbycusis) is very common. About one-thirds of all people in the United States over the age of 75 have some level of hearing loss. For people older than 75, this figure is about 1 in 2. Learning to recognize the signs of hearing loss can go a long way to improving quality of life for these older adults. In this article, we'll explore hearing loss and what can be done about it.
One of the most common causes of hearing loss in older adults is a middle ear infection. Two-thirds of people with middle ear infection experience hearing loss. The infection is often caused by ototoxic drugs, which are prescription medications used for severe ear infections. These medications include corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and aminosalicylates.
In addition, if you have been exposed to loud noises in your youth, it's quite possible that you'll still suffer from hearing loss even if you haven't experienced it since then. The problem is that as we age, our ears tend to become less sensitive to low-frequency sounds, like those generated by a car driving by or a strong, booming bass drums in a rock concert. In many cases, these same types of sounds can be heard at even lower volumes by younger people who were exposed to them in their youth. This is known as the "aging effect."
There are essentially three types of hearing loss that can be identified by a doctor. These three types are sensorineural, conductive and mixed. There are basically three kinds of hearing loss that can be identified by a doctor. These three types are basically different types of damage that can take place in the ear. There are basically three types of hearing loss that can be identified by a doctor.
Generally, hearing loss occurs when more than 90% of the sound energy that reaches the inner ear is lost below the audiometer. Some of this loss is due to external influences, such as excessive loud noises, but some of it is due to the workings of your inner ear, specifically the conductive part of its nerve system. If the conductive nerve cannot transmit sound waves to the inner ear correctly, it will simply bypass the middle ear, and the result is usually hearing loss. Fortunately, this kind of damage can usually be repaired with simple procedures such as cochlear surgeries.
One type of hearing loss, conductive, is related to many different causes, including aging. As you get older, the thin hair inside your ear becomes more delicate and thin. Because it is so delicate, small hairs become exposed to more loud noises. With time, these hairs will slowly break off. If this process happens over several years, it will slow your ability to hear well.
For mixed hearing loss, which include exposure to loud noises like jack hammers, construction workers, and others, there are some treatment options for this type of hearing loss. The first thing to remember is that as we get older, we tend to lose more hair in the ear canal and this can lead to hearing loss. However, you may have an underlying cause for the hair loss and treating that cause will make treating your hearing loss easier.
There are also some ototoxic medications that can be used for the treatment of hearing loss. These are medications that are known to be damaging to the inner ear. This includes medications used for high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, depression, epilepsy, glaucoma, and even certain types of cancer. The ototoxic medications can be gotten over the counter, but you should also see your doctor for more advice. In most cases, these ototoxic medications cannot be used for children younger than 16. If in doubt, always talk to your doctor before taking any ototoxic medications for children or adults.