Habits that can harm your hearing health

1. Habits that can harm your hearing health Overview Hearing is not something that a lot of people think of until it becomes a problem and many people have never had a hearing test. A lot of people think that hearing loss is associated with older age and they don’t realise that there are many more risks to developing a hearing loss other than old age. People also don’t know what to do about it, they will ignore it and it gets progressively worse. Sometimes people don’t realise that they do have a hearing problem and may be surprised when a hearing test indicates it. However, how does one get their hearing checked? Is there a place I can get a free hearing test near me? Understanding hearing loss a little better, as well as recognizing habits that can harm your hearing health is very important and help in knowing when it might be time to get the hearing test done. 1. Environmental (noise) A significant cause of hearing loss is due to noise exposure. This is often due to a long-term loud noise exposure that can gradually occur over a period of time. This hearing loss may occur when working in an environment of loud noise exposure, such as working with heavy machinery, or it may occur instantaneously when exposed to a single very loud noise incident in a workplace. Prolonged noise exposure in an environment that is measured to be over 85 dB (decibels) can be damaging to your hearing, with the resulting damage to the hair cells in the inner hair being irreversible. Some workplaces are set up to get hearing tests routinely done, however this is not always the case. Likewise noisy hobbies such as recreational shooting, motor racing and motorbikes can also be damaging to hearing when adequate hearing protection is not worn. Most of us at some time in our lives went to a night club, with the place packed with people and the music blaring, only to find our ears ringing when we get home. Regular exposure to live/loud concerts and bands is not good for hearing. However many people don’t think to get a hearing test done to check. It is also not good to listen to your favorite music

2. from phones/ipods at a loud level through headphones/earphones. If someone is sitting near you and can clearly hear the music that you are listening to, it is probably at an unsafe listening level. It is important to realise that noise induced hearing loss is a permanent hearing loss which will be unable to be improved by a medical doctor. Treatment would involve hearing aids and assistive listening devices. But how does one know that they may not be hearing optimally and whether they have any hearing damage? Hearing tests are available at many places and even a free hearing test will be able to determine whether a hearing loss is present. 2. Health It is generally known that unhealthy diets along with poor exercise can be linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as increasing the risk of developing diabetes and obesity. However many people don’t know that these bad habits and resulting health issues can also be linked to permanent hearing loss. Who would think that a hearing test should be undertaken when these conditions are present! Cardiovascular disease impacts on the heart and blood vessels, however these symptoms can also affect the area of the body where the hearing occurs. This is thought to be due to a poor circulation or trauma impacting on the blood flow to the inner ear area which will lead to permanent damage in this area. Interestingly, the type of hearing loss you have and the shape of the hearing loss that is shown in a hearing test, may aid in identifying early risk factors for these health issues. But one might ask, what can I do about checking my hearing, is there a hearing place near me? Many clinics will offer a free hearing test which will help identify an early hearing loss. Further hearing testing can determine the type of hearing loss and may assist with other markers to indicate potential health concerns that need to be addressed with your doctor. Social habits such as smoking and drinking are also detrimental to one’s hearing. The nicotine in cigarettes can impact on the blood flow throughout the body and similar to cardiovascular disease, can potentially affect the blood vessels in the inner ear and damage the inner hair cells resulting in a permanent hearing loss. Excessive alcohol consumption is also shown to be linked to hearing loss. Scientific evidence suggests that chronic alcohol abuse can damage parts of the brain that cognitively process information, and hence lead to difficulties with the ability to hear and understand sounds. Should concerns be present in hearing and processing information, it is important that you speak to your doctor about whether a test of hearing is indicated and look at getting a hearing test done. By visiting a local hearing clinic, you can initially undertake a free hearing test, even a free screening, that can help determine any abnormal result and suggest what can be done about it and whether a more advanced hearing test is needed. 3. Put buds in ears You may have heard the old saying that you shouldn’t put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear! Well there is good reasoning behind that saying, as by sticking things in your ear, it puts you at risk of irritating or damaging your ear canal or eardrum (by accidently putting a hole in it). Therefore, despite it being a common practice, it is not advisable to stick Q Tips or other items into your ear to remove the wax or clean the ear, as these items can do serious damage to your ears and hearing. The Qtip is also likely to end up pushing the wax deeper into your ear! Wax in ears is a normal thing to have and helps protect the ear canal, so it shouldn’t be considered a bad thing. Wax will naturally work its way out of your ear over time, however, should it be a concern, or should it be something that is impacting on your ability to hear, using wax drops or getting the wax removed by a specialist/doctor is

3. advisable. It can even be checked at a hearing clinic where a specialist can check your ears with a special torch to see how it looks and determine whether it does need to be removed. They will often offer a free hearing test to check how your hearing is while you are there. 5. Pretending your hearing difficulties are not there One of the biggest dangers to your hearing health is ignoring the fact that you do have a hearing loss. Some people are in denial and think that they can ignore it and just get everyone to just speak louder to them or have the television on at a louder volume. Many people will scoff at the idea of getting a hearing test done or will put off the thought of getting a hearing test. However, what you may not know is that if someone has a decent hearing loss, it has been shown that if you don’t “use it you lose it”. It has been shown that hearing loss can be associated with cognitive decline and dementia and that if you aren’t hearing sounds well, that your brain can forget what it is like to hear properly. The longer you put off getting a hearing test, and ignore the fact that you aren’t hearing well, the more likely this is to happen. Hearing loss can also impact on your ability to socialize and connect with others. It is therefore important that if you are struggling, to get a hearing test done and see what your options may be to hear better. The audiologist who does the hearing test will be able to discuss all your options for you. It is important to find a hearing clinic that is client focused, where they can give you valued service and care during the test of hearing. Even if just starting with a free hearing test, the result can give you an idea of what your hearing is like and the audiologist can have a discussion on what options are available and what further hearing testing may be needed. 4. Summary In summary, there are many factors that can affect your hearing health outside of old age. It is important to be informed about these things for long term hearing health, as well as know what to do if you feel a hearing loss is present. Getting a hearing test is important, whether it initially be a free hearing test, or a full diagnostic hearing test. Contact Attune Hearing by going to the website or calling 1300 736 702 to book an appointment with a qualified Audiologists.

4. Website url: https://www.attune.com.au/ Business Name: Attune Hearing Address: Level 3, Wickham Terrace 135 City: Brisbane State: Queensland Country: Australia zip code: 4000 Phone no: +61 1300 736 702 E-mail: social@attune.com.au VISIT US: https://www.attune.com.au/