{"id":6352,"date":"2020-04-15T16:11:36","date_gmt":"2020-04-15T20:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehearinginstitute.org\/?p=6352"},"modified":"2021-04-22T19:51:04","modified_gmt":"2021-04-22T23:51:04","slug":"5-habits-that-harm-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehearinginstitute.org\/5-habits-that-harm-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Habits that Harm Hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Approximately 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss \u2013 a condition that has been associated with anxiety, depression and even cognitive decline. While not all cases of hearing loss are preventable, there are ways to reduce your risk of developing the disorder. Below are five habits to kick to promote better hearing<\/a> health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Smoking\nis linked to a long list of negative health conditions, and hearing loss is one\nof them. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the ears, which damages the\nstereocilia \u2013 tiny hair cells responsible for converting soundwaves into\nelectrical energy that is interpreted by the brain as sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not\nonly can smoking damage your hearing, secondhand smoke can damage the hearing\nof those you love. Studies have shown that adolescents exposed to secondhand\nsmoke are twice as likely to develop low-frequency hearing loss as those with\nno exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vaping and e-cigarettes that contain tobacco have the same effect as smoking cigarettes. In addition, the flavored fluids, \u201ce-juices,\u201d contain hundreds of chemicals with unknown health effects. Proplene glycol, for example, has been linked to sudden hearing loss<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavy Drinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Studies\nshow that alcohol can interfere with the with the brain\u2019s ability to interpret\nsound, particularly low-frequency sounds. Alcohol creates a toxic environment\nin the inner ear and damages the stereocilia. Studies have also shown that the\ncentral auditory cortex in the brain may even shrink within people who drink\nexcessively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor Dental Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When\nbacteria from the mouth enters the bloodstream, it causes inflammation and\nnarrowing of the arteries. Poor circulation and hearing loss have been heavily\nlinked in a number of studies. Conversely, when you keep your teeth clean and\nyour mouth healthy, this bacteria doesn\u2019t have the environment to grow, keeping\nyour arteries and your hearing healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring the\nProblem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The average person waits seven years to seek treatment for their hearing loss. Unfortunately, the longer you go without treatment, the more difficult it is for your brain to become re-acquainted with everyday sounds and the longer it takes for you to learn how to filter ambient noise from important speech sounds. Early signs of hearing loss include asking people to repeat themselves, turning up the TV much louder than others need it and having difficulty talking on the phone. If you\u2019re exhibiting these symptoms, don\u2019t delay \u2013 schedule an appointment for a hearing test<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For\nmore information or to schedule an appointment, call the experts at Heuser\nHearing Institute today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn More About Hearing Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n