As we age, we may notice lots of less-than-ideal changes start happening to our bodies. From weight becoming a bit harder to drop, to hair in unusual places (or fleeing from other places!), aging – while a gift – isn’t always pretty.
These changes might be easy to spot right off the bat, but one issue that often occurs as we age can be a bit harder to notice. Hearing loss affects up to 13% of the US population, that’s about 30 million people. When hearing loss occurs suddenly, it’s impossible to miss. Unfortunately, there are many instances of hearing loss that can be hard to notice because of their slow-moving nature.
Types of hearing loss
Hearing loss is categorized in three ways: sensorineural, conductive, or mixed.
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss. It happens when damage occurs to either the minuscule, hair-like cells of the inner ear or when the auditory nerve itself is damaged. This weakens the transfer of nerve signals to the brain, making it difficult for the person to hear.
Conductive hearing loss happens when there is an obstruction in the outer or middle ear or damage which prevents sound from reaching the inner ear. This can be permanent or temporary, depending on the cause, and is usually quite sudden.
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of sensorineural and conductive hearing loss that usually occurs due to trauma to the ear. This is also quite sudden and noticeable.
Why is it hard to notice you may be losing your hearing?
Out of the three types of hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss can be the hardest to spot. This is because it often occurs gradually. As it’s happening, your body will do it’s best to compensate for the loss and you will also get used to hearing this way and may not notice things aren’t as they should be. Untreated hearing loss can also happen due to stubbornness. It can be hard to admit our body might be failing us in this way.
Why you should never let hearing loss go untreated
It’s important to never let deafness go untreated. First, it’s key to find out what is causing your hearing loss. Left ignored, what might have been a temporary issue can balloon into permanent and profound hearing loss. Early intervention can also mean that you will need less invasive and expensive procedures to remedy the situation.
Getting your hearing regularly checked isn’t just about being able to maintain a conversation at a crowded party, it’s about also your cognitive health. A study by John Hopkins showed an association between hearing loss and cognitive decline. What this means is that people with moderate hearing loss were twice as likely to experience accelerated cognitive decline as their peers, while those with severe hearing loss were five times as likely. You can avoid becoming a part of these scary statistics by booking regular visits with a hearing specialist and being willing to hear out your partner or friends when they mention that you may be losing your hearing.
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