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Posts Tagged ‘hearing loss’

Life in today’s world has become considerably louder with the increase in the number of cars and lorries on the roads, more powerful sound systems in the home, cinemas and theaters and the constant sounds from industrial plants and electrical equipment. Over 28 million Americans are deaf or have hearing problems, many cases being due to the rise in volume in our daily lives.

Fortunately a lot of hearing loss can be prevented or delayed. The advancement of the hearing aids that are available and the improvement of medical treatment is helping to restore people’s hearing more than ever before.

Hearing loss sufferers are becoming younger as more people become exposed to dangerous sound levels. Every day 30 million Americans live their lives exposed to high, dangerous sound levels and 10 million have already suffered from irreversible damage to their hearing.

The age group of 45 to 64 year olds has the biggest decline in their hearing with men suffering a 365% loss and women 85% Luckily damage to a person’s hearing from ear infections, including infections to the middle ear, and noise levels is preventable.

Hearing tests at birth are now highly recommended. Problems with a newborn baby’s hearing can now be detected with an inexpensive technique known as otoacoustic emissions. Language skills begin to develop in the first six months after birth and by diagnosing any problems as early as possible will give a child the best opportunity for healthy development.

The truly wonderful gift of hearing is down to the fact that parts of our ear such as the ear drum and the tiny bones that are present vibrate when sound waves, collected by the outer ear hit them. Tiny cells shaped like hairs convert vibrations within the cochlea into electrical nerve signals which are then sent to the brain. These cells are irreplaceable and as such if they die they cannot be grown back.

One symptom of damage to a person’s hearing by excessive noise levels is tinnitus which is the presence of a constant and annoying ringing sound or a buzz in the person’s ears. The large majority of the 40 million people in America who suffer from tinnitus are able to love with it.

Lots of people who suffer from tinnitus say that the level is not too disturbing and they can easily be lulled to sleep even though the sound does not go away. For many, the discomfort is too annoying and can really affect their lives. Fortunately 80% of the 10 million severe cases can receive some form of relief, but as of now, there is no outright cure.

William Shatner, known to many as Captain Kirk from Star Trek, admitted that the torment he suffered from a severe case of tinnitus made him consider suicide. Explosions during the making of the television series may have been to blame for his condition.

You can protect yourself from hearing loss in the following ways. Earplugs are very effective at preventing hearing loss. Temporary loss of hearing can occur when you are exposed to over 90 decibels from things like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers for a long period of time. Hearing damage can be caused by 15 minutes of unprotected use of equipment that produces over 100 decibels. Heavy machinery and rock concerts often pump out 110 decibels of sound which is enough to cause permanent hearing loss.

Treat any ear infections as soon as they develop. Pain and swelling are not always present during an infection. No other symptoms apart from a loss of hearing may be present. As soon as you discover any problems with your hearing, speak to a doctor and take a hearing test.

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Estimates are that more than 10 percent of people suffer from some degree of hearing loss. And many of them use a hearing aid in order to enhance their ability to hear everyday sounds that the rest of us take for granted. A hearing aid is an electronic device incorporating a tiny microphone that amplifies sounds. They are ideal for people who aren’t totally deaf, and just need some assistance in picking up regular noise. Modern hearing aids have many features that are suited to just about everyone. Digital hearing aids especially have lots of advantages over older technology. Here’s an overview of the available information on hearing aids to help you decide which one is best for your needs.

There is more than one kind of hearing aid, and each has its pros and cons. You need to discuss your requirements with a trained medical professional before you choose a hearing aid. Before purchasing one of these devices, be sure to have your hearing checked by the audiologist. Your hearing problems might be the result of health problems such as an ear infection, a tumor or simply too much wax in your ears.

One of the favorite hearing aids today is the behind the ear (BTE) model. BTE’s are small and convenient. In fact, they’re so small that most people don’t even notice them. BTEs can even be utilized by those who have serious hearing problems. BTE offers binaural hearing aid technology, meaning that sound is received at ear level. Other alternatives include “in the ear” and “in the ear canal” styles. They each have properties that are appropriate for specific hearing issues, which makes it essential that you consult with a medical professional before buying one.

You also need to give yourself an appropriate amount of time to adapt to any model of hearing aid. You’ll need to allow 30 days or more to become accustomed to a hearing aid. During this time you can evaluate its usefulness and comfort. Be aware that a hearing aid won’t entirely eliminate background noises and give you perfect hearing.

Many people these days are experiencing hearing problems, but they are reluctant to start using a hearing aid since they believe that it will make them look older. But today’s sleek and compact styles can be the answer to that problem. And really, using one is so much better than constantly asking people to repeat themselves. A properly fitting hearing device can improve your social interactions to a huge extent, making you feel like you’re part of the crowd once again.

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