Is hearing loss affecting your health or vice versa?
The only thing more common than hearing loss is how many people choose to ignore it. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 28.8 million adults could benefit from using hearing aids.
“Among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss, fewer than one in three (30%) has ever used them. Even fewer adults aged 20 to 69 (approximately 16%) who could benefit from wearing hearing aids have ever tried them,” NIDCD says.
Presbycusis is the term used for age-related hearing loss. It comes on gradually, often runs in families and may occur because of changes in the inner ear and auditory nerve, which relays signals from the ear to the brain. It usually occurs in both ears and because it comes on so slowly, some people don’t notice it until they realize that not everyone in the world mumbles.
Tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing in the ear, is also common as we age. It can be the first sign of hearing loss. It’s a symptom, not a disease and can be caused by something as simple as a build up of earwax blocking the ear canal.
“Tinnitus can be a sign of other health conditions, such as high blood pressure or allergies, NIDCD says. “Tinnitus can also occur as a side effect of certain medications.”
The National Institutes on Health tells us that loud noise, which is also a factor in tinnitus, is the most common cause of hearing loss.
“Noise from lawn mowers, snow blowers or loud music can damage the inner ear and result in permanent hearing loss. You can prevent most noise-related hearing loss by turning down the sound on your devices, moving away from loud noise or using earplugs or other ear protection.”
Health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure can contribute to hearing loss, NIH says. “Ear infections caused by viruses and bacteria (also known as otitis media), a heart condition, stroke, brain injury or a tumor may also affect your hearing.”
And like tinnitus, hearing loss can be a result of certain medications that can damage the inner ear, sometimes permanently. Included in this list of drugs are those for cancer, heart disease, some antibiotics and aspirin in some dosages. If you notice changes in your hearing when prescribed new medicines, contact your health care provider right away.
Losing your hearing can affect a lot more than your social life. It can affect your cognitive health. NIH says that “studies have shown that older adults with hearing loss have a greater risk of developing dementia than older adults with normal hearing. Cognitive abilities (including memory and concentration) decline faster in older adults with hearing loss than in older adults with normal hearing.”
The good side of that bad news is that a recent analysis of several studies concluded that people who use hearing aids or have cochlear implants have a lower risk of long-term cognitive decline compared to those who choose not to have their hearing corrected.
“Older people who can’t hear well may become depressed or withdrawn because they feel frustrated or embarrassed about not understanding what is being said,” NIH explains. Often family members and friends mistake depression as confusion, unresponsiveness or just being uncooperative or obstinate, which can lead to social isolation and loneliness.
NIH says that hearing loss, even just a minor amount of it, has been linked to an increased risk for falls. You know your ears control your balance and anything that affects it can make you susceptible to injury.
And one more thing. “Hearing loss can affect public as well as personal safety, such as the ability to drive safely, when warning sounds are harder to hear.”
If you notice, or your spouse tells you, that you’re losing your ability to hear, see your primary care provider for an evaluation. If the reason is as simple as earwax buildup, there are simple procedures to alleviate it.
“Many types of assistive devices are available to help people with hearing loss,” NIH says. “These devices can amplify sounds, provide alerts and help you communicate with others.”
Some hearing aids are available over-the-counter for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. You might want to check the pros and cons.
Kathy Hubbard is a member of Bonner General Health Foundation Advisory Council. She can be reached at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.
