As our cities get busier and expand the amount of noise from traffic and machinery we are exposed to grows and our entertainment habits are also requiring the volume to be turned up at home, in the cinemas and at the concerts we go to. The increase in volume is responsible for a corresponding increase in the number of Americans that are deaf or suffer from some hearing loss, which now stands at 28 million.
There is however, ways to prevent or delay a lot of hearing loss. Medical treatments have improved and the hearing aids that are available today are more comfortable and more effective than in the past.
The ages of hearing loss sufferers are getting younger as more people become exposed to damaging sound levels. Roughly 10 million Americans have irreversible damage to their ears from dangerous noise levels and 30 million are exposed to damaging levels on a daily basis.
Men between the ages of 45 and 64 have the highest levels of hearing loss with 365% and women 85% for the same age group. Unlike age, hearing loss from noise levels and infections, especially during childhood is preventable.
Experts agree hearing tests should begin as early as possible straight after birth. There is now an inexpensive technique called otoacoustic emissions that can detect any hearing problems in newborn babies. 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 miraculous gift of hearing is possible due to the collection of sound waves in the air by our outer ears that channel the sound so that it hits and vibrates the ear drum and the bones present in our inner ears. The vibrations are then converted into electrical signals by hair shaped cells in the cochlea and then sent to the brain via nerves. These cells do not grow back if they become damaged.
One common symptom of hearing damage is tinnitus where the person hears a constant ringing or a buzz which is not actually present. Around 40 million Americans are known to suffer from tinnitus but most learn to live with it.
Some tinnitus cases are only very slight and affects people at night time when everything else is silent. For others the sounds are a constant barrage of nerve wrecking discomfort. Tinnitus cannot be cured but instead relief is available for around 80% of the 10 million severe cases.
The actor who played Captain Kirk, in the television series Star Trek revealed that he considered suicide after being tormented by severe tinnitus. The cause of his condition may have been the loud explosions that he was exposed to during the filming of the TV series.
There are many ways in which you can prevent hearing loss. In certain situations you should always wear earplugs. Everyday home equipment that produces over 90 decibels of sound such as lawnmowers and even some vacuum cleaners can cause temporary hearing loss if used for a long duration. Unless protection is worn the sound from some work machinery can cause damage to a persons hearing in 15 minutes if the sound is over 100 decibels. Anything above 110 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss and industrial machinery and most music concerts typically exceed this level.
Ear infections must be treated early to prevent damage to your hearing. Ear infections are not necessarily accompanied by swelling or pain. Sometimes a loss of hearing is the only symptom. Whenever you start to notice any difference in your hearing, speak to a doctor and get booked in for a test.
There is however, ways to prevent or delay a lot of hearing loss. Medical treatments have improved and the hearing aids that are available today are more comfortable and more effective than in the past.
The ages of hearing loss sufferers are getting younger as more people become exposed to damaging sound levels. Roughly 10 million Americans have irreversible damage to their ears from dangerous noise levels and 30 million are exposed to damaging levels on a daily basis.
Men between the ages of 45 and 64 have the highest levels of hearing loss with 365% and women 85% for the same age group. Unlike age, hearing loss from noise levels and infections, especially during childhood is preventable.
Experts agree hearing tests should begin as early as possible straight after birth. There is now an inexpensive technique called otoacoustic emissions that can detect any hearing problems in newborn babies. 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 miraculous gift of hearing is possible due to the collection of sound waves in the air by our outer ears that channel the sound so that it hits and vibrates the ear drum and the bones present in our inner ears. The vibrations are then converted into electrical signals by hair shaped cells in the cochlea and then sent to the brain via nerves. These cells do not grow back if they become damaged.
One common symptom of hearing damage is tinnitus where the person hears a constant ringing or a buzz which is not actually present. Around 40 million Americans are known to suffer from tinnitus but most learn to live with it.
Some tinnitus cases are only very slight and affects people at night time when everything else is silent. For others the sounds are a constant barrage of nerve wrecking discomfort. Tinnitus cannot be cured but instead relief is available for around 80% of the 10 million severe cases.
The actor who played Captain Kirk, in the television series Star Trek revealed that he considered suicide after being tormented by severe tinnitus. The cause of his condition may have been the loud explosions that he was exposed to during the filming of the TV series.
There are many ways in which you can prevent hearing loss. In certain situations you should always wear earplugs. Everyday home equipment that produces over 90 decibels of sound such as lawnmowers and even some vacuum cleaners can cause temporary hearing loss if used for a long duration. Unless protection is worn the sound from some work machinery can cause damage to a persons hearing in 15 minutes if the sound is over 100 decibels. Anything above 110 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss and industrial machinery and most music concerts typically exceed this level.
Ear infections must be treated early to prevent damage to your hearing. Ear infections are not necessarily accompanied by swelling or pain. Sometimes a loss of hearing is the only symptom. Whenever you start to notice any difference in your hearing, speak to a doctor and get booked in for a test.
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