Good hearing is important for your health and your quality of life. If you’re one of the 15 million American adults affected by some degree of hearing loss, the beginning of a new year is a great time to commit to learning about treatments that can help you hear better.
At ENT Specialists, our team of experienced providers is skilled in diagnosing hearing loss and its underlying causes, providing solutions that work for your health and lifestyle. Here, learn why hearing loss happens and why correcting hearing problems is so important for your health and quality of life.
For some people, hearing loss begins in childhood — in fact, about 2-3 of every 1,000 children have some amount of detectable hearing loss at birth. Sometimes, infant hearing loss resolves as the child develops; other times, the loss persists into adulthood. Hearing loss that’s present at birth is called congenital hearing loss.
Acquired hearing loss happens later in life, typically when we’re adults. A lot of acquired hearing loss happens as we get older, as the tiny cells responsible for collecting sounds and transferring sound data to the brain begin to die off.
Hearing loss can also be categorized in other ways — for instance:
Conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss refer to which areas of the ear are involved in hearing problems — the outer or middle ear area, the inner ear region, or both, respectively.
In addition to age-related changes, acquired hearing loss can be caused by exposure to loud noises, scarring from ear infections, medications harmful to ear components, and certain underlying diseases, like those that affect your balance or nervous system. Genetics also plays a role in many types of hearing loss.
It’s tempting to think a little hearing loss is no big deal, especially when that loss occurs as a part of the aging process. But any amount of hearing loss isn’t normal, and even a small loss of hearing should be evaluated as soon as possible.
In some instances, a decline in hearing is associated with an underlying problem, like a tumor or nerve disorder, and early screening can help “catch” the problem before it causes more serious complications. But there are other reasons to have early screening, too.
Hearing is — obviously — essential for listening, and without good listening skills, there’s no way you can communicate effectively. Even a mild hearing loss can make it hard to hear conversations in noisy environments or cause misunderstandings, taking a toll on personal relationships and your performance at work.
Being able to hear clearly is a big part of socializing, too. Even the most basic social activities are enhanced by better communication. If you have hearing loss, you can quickly feel confused, disconnected, and frustrated, feelings that can lead to isolation and depression.
One of the biggest reasons to have your hearing corrected as soon as possible is also one of the most surprising: Research shows that hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia.
In fact, one recent study found people with even a mild hearing loss were twice as likely to develop dementia, while people with moderate and severe losses were three and five times more likely, respectively. Having hearing loss corrected could be one simple, proactive way to decrease your own risk of dementia in the future.
Those are just a few of the benefits you can enjoy by prioritizing hearing care this year. With better hearing, you’ll feel more like “yourself” while enjoying a better quality of life and enhanced overall wellness. To schedule your hearing evaluation, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, and Tooele, Utah, today.
