In an attempt to thrive in a demanding, stressful, and constantly changing environment, we are all constantly connected and straining our senses to their absolute maximum. Listening is one of our most crucial senses since it allows us to communicate with others and helps us become more aware of our surroundings. Listening is done for leisure or job purposes at home, during commutes, and at the office.
Hearing Loss from Work and Recreation
People are exposed to noises of around 85 dB when working in activities like gardening or carpentry. Even two hours of exposure to such loudness without ear protection may harm one’s hearing. It is thought that listening for fun is safe. Personal hearing equipment, however, are calibrated to produce sounds between 105 and 110 dB. What’s alarming is that damage to one’s hearing may occur in as little as five minutes at this level of noise.
Consequences of Hearing Loss
More than 360 million people are now dealing with hearing loss, according to the CDC. Waiting too long to treat hearing loss in adults may negatively impact people’s and their families’ HRQoL (health-related quality of life). Hearing loss is often linked to loneliness, elevated levels of anxiety and despair, and decreased self-efficacy. It is related to global brain shrinkage and accelerated cognitive impairment in the elderly, especially in the temporal lobe.
However, in youngsters, hearing loss may lead to far more serious consequences. Speech, linguistic, and behavioral issues affect kids who have hearing loss from birth or in their early years. Their academic success is impacted as well. Not treating hearing loss internationally has a tremendous cost. The good news is that early detection and treatment for mild to moderate hearing loss may stop these trends and help adults and children regain their hearing.
Procedure for Hearing Loss
The method of intervention relies on what caused the hearing loss in the first place. When earwax is removed, hearing may return to normal if that is the reason. A doctor could perform this by using a tool, a substance to dissolve the wax, or a suction tube. Surgery may be advised as a treatment option for an ear infection. The use of hearing aids and cochlear implants is resorted to by the doctor if there is irreparable hearing loss, particularly due to injury to the inner ear.
Hearing aids come in both prescription-style and over-the-counter (OTC) varieties. OTC hearing aids may be purchased without visiting an audiologist or a doctor straight from medical shops. These are appropriate for those with minor hearing loss. There are prescription-style hearing aids that are pre-programmed for the level of hearing loss a person has available for moderate to severe hearing loss. The styles of hearing aids also vary, including behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, and canal. The ENT doctor chooses the kind of hearing aid after considering the patient’s age, employment, and degree of hearing loss.
