The most common causes of hearing loss are aging and exposure to loud noises. While there is nothing you can do about the march of time, there are measures you can take to protect your hearing and prevent hearing loss. We outline five of these below.
1. Protect Your Ears from Loud Noises
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your hearing is to protect your ears from dangerously loud sounds. Inside the ears are tiny hair cells that convert soundwaves into electrical energy that the brain interprets as sound. These cells are extremely sensitive to loud noises and can be damaged by sounds that are 85 dB or louder. For reference, that is about the volume of passing highway traffic.
Stay away from loud noise sources and invest in earplugs for when you operate power tools, attend concerts or participate in any other noisy activities.
2. Manage Your Cardiovascular Health
Studies have shown that high blood pressure and heart disease can damage the stereocilia within the inner ear, too. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage it and be sure to exercise at Las Vegas Athletic Clubs regularly.
3. Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar
According to one study, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have hearing loss as those without. Diabetes is another way the delicate hair cells in the ears can be damaged, so maintaining healthy blood sugar is key.
4. Know What Drugs Cause Hearing Loss
Some drugs are ototoxic, meaning they cause damage to the auditory system. Common culprits are aspirin, chemotherapy drugs and IV antibiotics. Talk to your doctor about whether you’re at risk and whether there are alternative medications you can try.
5. Learn Your Family History
Hearing loss in many cases is genetic. Learn whether you have a family history of hearing loss, and if you do, be sure to schedule regular hearing tests. Early treatment yields the best outcomes.
For more information about the ways you can protect your hearing, call the hearing experts at Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute today.
Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.