5 Things That Can Lead To Hearing Loss

Posted on: 17 April 2015

The world would be a strange place if you could not listen to your favorite song or the sound of a child's laughter. Hearing is one of your most important senses and not something you should take for granted. If you do not take proper care of your hearing, you are more likely to lose it in the future. Here are five things that can lead to hearing loss. 

Medication

Certain medications, including Aspirin, loop diuretics and cancer treating drugs, can put you at risk of hearing loss. They are referred to as ototoxic medicines and can damage the cochlea in the inner ear. If you are taking any of these medicines and notice signs of hearing loss, talk to your doctor.

Smoking

Your heart and lungs are not the only body parts cigarettes can hurt. Smoking hinders blood flow, which can prevent enough blood from getting to the ear. If you smoke tobacco on a regular basis, you can essentially suffocate your ears. If you make the effort to quit, you can save your hearing.

Convertibles

Driving around in a convertible on a sunny day might be fun, but it can harm your ears. When the top is down, your ears are exposed to excessive noise from wind and other cars. All of that noise can do significant damage to your ears over time, worsening your hearing.

Noisy Job

If you are exposed to constant noise at your job, you are in danger of losing your hearing. For example, if you work in a factory and hear loud machinery all day, you can damage the hair cells in the cochlea.

Diabetes

If you suffer from diabetes, you are more at risk of losing your hearing than someone without the disease. The abnormal blood vessels associated with diabetes can prevent enough blood from reaching the cochlea. Narrow blood vessels can also prevent toxins from getting cleaned out of your ears. To prevent hearing damage, it is very important to manage your diabetes and listen to everything your doctor tells you.

The thought of losing your hearing can be discomforting, but it does not have to happen to you. If you take proper care of your ears and avoid things that can harm your ears, you can preserve your hearing. Even if you hear well right now, do not neglect to visit an audiologist once a year for a hearing checkup.

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