The sound of rain, the singing of birds, and the rustle of leaves or grass outside the window are our favorite and familiar sounds. But what if one day you stop perceiving them? What to do, Hearing health. How to recognize the problem if you wake up in a world of silence? Hearing problems are a serious problem of the 21st century. Millions of people suffer from decreased acuity or complete hearing loss. And this figure is growing every year. Is it really that serious?
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Why is it important to monitor hearing health?
Most people perceive healthy hearing as commonplace. Every day we hear thousands of external sounds, the voices of loved ones and other people, Hearing health. How to recognize the problem unaware that our understanding of the world is the work of a complex system. The hearing organs have a complex structure, which is very easy to damage. There are various reasons leading to hearing problems:
- Genetic predisposition
- Age-related changes
- Prolonged noise exposure
- Head and ear injuries
- Complications from infectious ENT diseases
Modern lifestyle, especially in large cities, negatively affects human health, including hearing organs. Constant noise exposure (public transport, highways, professions, loud music), stress, unhealthy diet, and bad habits often lead to hearing loss.
The situation is complicated by the fact that in most cases, hearing acuity decreases gradually, which depends on the peculiarities of our brain. The brain is being rebuilt to work in new conditions and a person does not notice any special changes at the beginning of hearing loss. Moreover, some people get used to it and try to adjust their way of life without seeking medical help. This is a big mistake and it leads to serious complications. Hearing loss is not a runny nose or a cold. This is a serious problem, it won’t disappear by itself. Over time, the situation will only get worse.
First of all, hearing loss causes difficulties in everyday life. Previously familiar tasks become difficult to accomplish. The cognitive capabilities of a person are also gradually decreasing because the brain is being rebuilt, loading some areas and reducing the activity of others. As a result, a person’s memory deteriorates. There is frequent dizziness and, most importantly, loss of orientation in space. The latter is especially dangerous because most elderly people have some degree of hearing loss. Loss of orientation in space can lead to falls, and they can lead to serious injuries.
But that’s not all. In addition to physiological problems, psychological difficulties also appear. A person with hearing loss begins to experience communication problems. Over time, there is a fear of public censure. As a result, a person tries to isolate himself from society. Such behavior leads to the development of psychological problems, for example, depression.
Hearing loss is a challenge for adults and an even more serious problem for children. After all, hearing is not only the amazing sounds of the environment. Without hearing, it is impossible to perceive the world around us! Children with hearing loss lag behind their healthy peers in development. They should attend special classes or schools to develop normally and not get lost in society in the future.
How to recognize hearing problems in time?
Hearing loss is a serious problem. It requires special attention. Fortunately, today there are effective methods of treatment. They help to restore lost hearing. The main thing is to notice the onset of hearing loss in time and seek help from a doctor. The audiologist will conduct the necessary examinations, determine the degree of hearing loss and prescribe treatment. Most often, doctors prescribe the use of hearing aids. The sooner you sign up for a doctor’s consultation, the sooner you’ll hear your favorite sounds and voices again!
What about the first symptoms?
Most people’s hearing decreases gradually, which makes it difficult to see the impending threat in time. However, some symptoms indicate the presence of a problem. Here are some of them:
- Rapid fatigue at work
- Fatigue when trying to concentrate on a certain sound
- Emotional swing. Frequent irritability
- The need to ask again during conversations
- Involuntary raising of the voice during a conversation
- Desire to boost the sound of devices
In addition, parents should carefully monitor the behavior of their children. It is very important to notice hearing problems in children (especially newborns) by the following signs:
- lack of reaction to a loud sound (the child does not turn to its source at the age of 4 months)
- lack of reaction to the name, the child notices the speaker only through visual contact
- lack of speech by 1 year of life
- the ability to hear certain sounds while ignoring others
If you notice similar symptoms in yourself or a loved one, then do not waste time. Make an appointment for a doctor’s consultation!
Diagnostics and hearing tests
Symptoms are a good indicator of a problem. However, there are other effective ways to determine hearing loss. Thanks to the development of digital technologies, today everyone can check the acuity of their hearing without leaving home. We are talking about hearing test online. Free testing will show the presence or absence of problems.
Audiologists recommend visiting an audiology clinic every year to check your hearing. This is also relevant for those citizens who are confident in the absence of problems.
Prevention of hearing loss. What to start with?
Hearing loss is a serious nuisance. It threatens almost every inhabitant of the planet. It’s all the fault of age-related changes in the hearing organs. Indeed, each of us can lose hearing acuity in old age. However, there are preventive measures. They significantly reduce the likelihood of developing hearing problems. Try to follow the recommendations of audiologists if you care about your health:
- Check your hearing health regularly. Perform diagnostics at least 1 time a year
- Treat infectious ENT diseases. The ears, throat, and nose are closely connected. An untreated nasal infection or throat infection can cause serious complications to the ears, reducing hearing acuity
- Do not self-medicate and do not take medications without a doctor’s prescription. Some medications can have toxic effects on the hearing organs
- Give up bad habits. Fatty foods and alcohol negatively affect health, including the condition of blood vessels, which can lead to hearing problems
- Limit listening to loud music. This is especially true for teenagers. Prolonged loud music damages hair cells, causing irreversible consequences for hearing
- Use ear protection during water procedures and work
These simple tips will help you avoid serious problems in the future! Keep an eye on your hearing health and ask for help in time!
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