There are two main categories of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. The first type, sensorineural, happens when the inner ear or auditory nerve becomes damaged. The damage is usually irreversible. Conductive hearing loss, on the other hand, is often reversible.
Signs of hearing loss include:
Not understanding people over the phoneDifficulty following conversationsListening to the TV or radio at a very high volumeFrequently needing people to repeat themselvesTrouble hearing because of background noiseDifficulty hearing certain types of voices like high-pitched ones
This article will cover some of the ways you can prevent certain types of hearing loss.
Age and Hearing Loss
Many people experience hearing loss as they get older. This type of hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, usually happens in both ears at once and can run in families. It also typically occurs gradually.
Don’t assume that age is the reason for your hearing loss, though. Underlying conditions that are more common in older adults may also lead to hearing loss. A stroke (loss of blood flow or a bleed in the brain), for example, can cause hearing loss. Some medications can also contribute to loss of hearing.
Always talk to a doctor if you notice a change in your hearing ability.
Noise and Hearing Loss
Noise exposure is the most common cause of hearing loss. Modern life involves a lot of loud noises that can affect your ability to hear. Unlike age-related hearing loss, there are ways to prevent noise-related hearing loss.
They can check for underlying conditions and recommend a suitable treatment option for your type of hearing loss, like a hearing aid or surgery.
If you have sudden hearing loss, it’s considered an emergency and requires immediate treatment.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss
Get Your Hearing Tested
Regular testing with an audiologist (a health professional specializing in hearing and balance disorders) can help catch problems before they become irreversible.
Avoid Loud Noises
Staying away from loud noises is the best way to avoid noise-induced hearing loss. If you need to be around loud noises for your job, try taking frequent breaks from noise exposure, if possible. Wear hearing protection devices such as earplugs or noise-reducing earmuffs.
Additionally, if you’re concerned about noise levels at your workplace, consider talking to your supervisor.
Concert goers who don’t want to sacrifice their favorite leisure activity can try positioning themselves far away from speakers. At home, keeping the volume on devices low and turning on closed-captioning can help keep noise at safe levels.
Wear Hearing Protection
Not everyone can avoid exposure to loud noises. However, wearing proper ear protection can help prevent damage that leads to hearing loss.
Whether you’re a touring musician or someone who works around loud equipment, wearing earplugs or muffs can help dampen sound and protect your ears. If you engage in hunting or shooting sports, always wear hearing protection when discharging a firearm or you are near others doing so.
Take Care When Wearing Headphones
Ideally, you shouldn’t blast music in your headphones. You might also consider taking listening breaks every hour or so.
This goes for all types of loud noise since loud sounds cause increasing damage over time:
Above 100 decibels: 15 minutes or less. Above 110 decibels: One minute or less.
Don’t Smoke
Evidence suggests that nicotine, a chemical in cigarettes and other tobacco products, can cause hearing loss. You don’t have to smoke yourself to experience tobacco-induced hearing loss. Second-hand smoke can also be a culprit.
Check Side Effects of Medication
Some drugs can also cause hearing loss and may even cause tinnitus or ringing in the ears. These are called ototoxic drugs and include:
Certain antibioticsSome chemotherapy drugsSome over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like aspirinSome anti-inflammatory drugs
Tinnitus is often the first sign of ototoxicity.
Summary
Hearing loss can happen at any age and for many reasons. While age-related hearing loss isn’t usually preventable, you can take steps to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.
You can avoid noise-related hearing loss by getting your hearing regularly tested, avoiding ear-damaging loud sounds, wearing ear protection around loud noises, practicing safe headphone listening, quitting smoking, and stopping medications that cause hearing loss.
A Word From Verywell
You can prevent noise-induced hearing loss, but loud noises aren’t always avoidable. They can happen suddenly even when you’re being very careful.
If you suspect you have some amount of hearing loss, don’t assume it’s noise-induced. Make sure to get a hearing test and see a hearing professional. They can rule out any possible underlying conditions that may be causing your hearing loss and recommend solutions to help restore your hearing or manage your current level of hearing loss.
Keep in mind that correlation doesn’t mean causation. But it makes sense that eating healthy can reduce your risk of hearing loss, especially hearing loss due to an underlying condition.
