As we age and notice that our eyesight is changing, we might also be aware that our hearing is declining as well. Although this can be less obvious than eyesight, losing the ability to hear over time is something that you can minimize by taking steps today to preserve it.
Many people don’t even know that their sense of hearing has changed, and it often isn’t until someone close to you tells you that you have the television turned up very loud or you don’t hear them talking that you notice. Any changes in hearing should be checked by a doctor, because early detection can help with treatment.
Action – Hearing loss can be caused by aging, disease, noise and heredity. It is a safety issue because you can get hurt if you can’t hear traffic, sirens or alarms. It is estimated that one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing loss, and half of those over age 75. Many don’t admit it though and feel that there is nothing wrong.
Older people with hearing loss might become depressed or begin to withdraw because they can’t hear and understand what other people are saying. There have been studies that link an increased risk of dementia in those with hearing loss. The conclusions of one study: “Hearing loss is independently associated with incident all-cause dementia. Whether hearing loss is a marker for early-stage dementia or is actually a modifiable risk factor for dementia deserves further study.” This underlies the importance of checking with a doctor if you suspect a hearing issue.
Steps – If ignored or untreated, hearing problems can get worse. Loud noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Repeated exposure to loud noises, whether in the workplace without protective equipment or through listening to loud music, can damage the inner ear and result in permanent hearing loss. When using lawn mowers or snow blowers, wear earplugs and turn the sound down when listening to music or watching television.
Make sure to treat any buildup of earwax promptly – a doctor can give suggestions for mild treatments to help. Don’t put anything into the ear, including cotton-tipped swabs, as a punctured eardrum is a serious consequence that may cause hearing loss. Take care of your overall heath by eating a healthy diet and exercising. Diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes can negatively impact the ears, as can the medications used to treat serious infections, cancer, and heart disease. Even aspirin can cause problems at certain dosages, so check with your doctor if you are concerned.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – If you have ever attended a live concert or a raucous sporting event, you know what it’s like to suffer temporary hearing loss. If repeated over and over, this assault on the sensitive eardrums will lead to irreparable loss of hearing. This type of damage is preventable.
Use common sense and recognize that anything over 85 decibels (dB) can be harmful if prolonged. A live rock concert can measure from 108-114 dB, which is 16 times as loud as a typical vacuum cleaner. For reference, a conversation in a restaurant is 60 dB, which is half as loud as 70 dB. A power motor is around 100 dB, which can cause serious damage with prolonged exposure.
For a table listing many common sources of noise with the decibel ratings, see here.
Example – Protect your ears and get tested regularly for hearing loss if you are exposed to loud noises at work. Take precautions and minimize noise as much as possible. Hearing loss can be a natural part of aging, but being prudent through all the stages of your life can help protect your ears and preserve the gift of hearing as much as possible.