|
There are many things that occur during the course of our daily lives that we might not think could impact our ability to hear. Think of the ear as a fragile instrument that once damaged may not be restored. Here are six things we may not consider to be hazardous to our hearing.
• Convertibles. Riding with the windows down on the highway or riding in a convertible with the radio blaring might seem harmless. However, the loud sounds of traffic combined with the roar of the wind and the radio are forms of noise exposure that can actually be damaging to your hearing.
• Ear Buds. Our ears were not meant to receive the delivery of sound so close to the eardrum. Ear buds have the potential of delivering sound loudly and for long periods of time. This can eventually change your perception of sound as well as damage your ears.
• Prescription drugs. Hearing loss is one of the lesser-known side effects of some prescription drugs, including those for pain, certain antibiotics and platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. Aspirin and ibuprofen can also cause hearing loss over time.
• Smoking. Nicotine, a vasoconstrictor that causes blood vessels to shrink slightly, can have a significant effect on the small capillaries that serve the ear. Studies have shown that smokers have difficulty hearing high frequency sounds due to constriction. In addition, children exposed to cigarette smoke are at an increased risk of developing ear infections.
• Diabetes. Diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), hearing loss is about twice as common in adults with diabetes compared to those who do not have the disease.
• Head injury. A blow to the head may dislocate the three bones of the middle ear (ossicles), resulting in hearing loss. Head injuries may also cause a ruptured eardrum (tympanic membrane). A forceful blow to the head can damage the delicate nerves in the cochlea or in the brain.
Rebecca Krukemyer, AuD, is an audiologist in private practice in Pemberville. She can be reached at Portage Valley Hearing, LLC 133 E. Front Street, Pemberville, 419-287-2201.
 |
Health 
Subscribe to this comment's feed