Avoiding Common Causes Of Hearing Loss

16 March 2015 by Brent Woods

Hearing loss is a problem that is often associated with the aging process. However, while it is true that growing older can result in gradual hearing loss, the fact is, this is a problem that can occur at any age. Many factors can contribute to the damaging of the cochlea, the part of your inner ear that is responsible for transmitted audio information to the brain. Thankfully, some of the most common causes of hearing loss can be avoided.

Exposure To Load Noises

Did your mother ever tell you to turn down the music before you go deaf? If so, like most people, you probably thought she was full of it. After all, this statement has become just about as common as "stop making that face before it gets stuck like that." Well, while there may be very little risk that you will be stuck with that silly face you made as a child, your mother was on the right path when she told you to turn down the music. This is because an overexposure to loud noises can cause damage to the nerve endings in your cochlea and ultimately result in hearing loss. Worst of all, once this damage is done, there is no way to undo it. So the next time you are thinking about cranking up the volume on your headphones or standing right next to the speaker at a local concert, you may want to think again.

Severe Ear Infections

While not all ear infections will have the potential to permanently impact your hearing, some serious infections can cause damage to the cochlea. For instance, severe cases of a common ear infection known as otitis media can cause the ear drum to rupture, resulting in hearing loss.

You may not be able to avoid ear infections all together. However, you can often avoid the threat that these infections can pose to your hearing. This is because receiving treatment for the infection before it progresses can greatly reduce the risk that your hearing will be adversely affected. Therefore, anytime that you experience pain, redness, swelling, of fluid drainage in your ear, you should immediately call a physician so that you can obtain the antibiotics necessary to prevent this infection from spreading.

A Final Thought

Unfortunately, not all causes of hearing loss can be prevented. However, if you are already suffering from hearing loss, you may be able to preserve the hearing that you have left with the help of an audiologist. Consequently, whether your hearing loss resulted from a few too many rock concerts or is a natural part of the aging process, the most effective thing you can do is to take a proactive approach to protect the hearing you still have left. Talk to an audiologist for more information.

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