Trouble Hearing Conversations? This Might Be The Cause
Some older people have trouble listening to a conversation in noisy environments. However, audiology tests show no signs of hearing loss. According to a recent study, the reason might be an imbalance in neural processes in the brain. Additional details click here.
Tinnitus Could Be A Side Effect Of Taking Painkillers
One of the causes of tinnitus is the use of painkillers. In fact, one side effect of several types of pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, is ringing in the ears. Adding it to acetaminophen or an NSAID — a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, increased the risk of having hearing loss. More info click here.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Affects Certain Frequencies, Preventing The Understanding Of Words
It Can Be Avoided Wearing Earplugs That Lower The Volume
Noise-related hearing loss is caused when the small hair cells inside the inner ear are affected and unable to covert the sounds into electrical signals to be recognized by the brain. These hair cells are tuned for certain frequencies. Therefore, this condition prevents hearing the frequencies matching to the damaged cells. Usually, the higher frequencies are affected, which also correspond to the consonants, making the process of understanding a conversation more difficult, hearing the speech without being able to determine the words. Also, excess noise can vary the threshold in a person’s hearing which is the lowest decibel level at which a person can hear a specific frequency. These can be temporary or permanent, as in the case when there is gunfire or an explosion, where there is a temporary hearing loss. Another consequence may be the appearance of tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears or other sounds, such as hissing or clicking, which are not in the environment. One way to prevent it is by wearing hearing protection, which consists of earplug that will lower the volume. More Information click here.
Swimmers Ear Can Be Prevented By Draining The Water Trapped In The Ear Canal
It Is An Infection That Can Be Avoided By Removing The Excess Earwax
Swimmer’s ear occurs when water remains in the ear canal after swimming. This is caused by an earwax buildup, which prevents the water from flowing out. The water inside the ear promotes a moist environment which allows the growth of bacteria, resulting in an infection. This condition is called otitis externa, and its symptoms are painful and itchy. Trying to remove the earwax with a cotton tip is not recommended because it can move the earwax inside the canal, and increase the risk of injury in the delicate skin tissue of the ear canal, which has already been affected by the infection. This condition can be prevented by tilting the head sideways to force the water to drain out. Also, even that there are eardrops that will help the earwax to flow out, it is better to visit a specialist to remove the excess earwax. More Information click here.
What Is Hidden Hearing Loss?
Exposure To Loud Noises Can Affect The Ability To Recognize Words Over A Noisy Background
Exposure to loud sounds can affect the circuits between the sensory hair cells in the inner ear and the areas which deliver information to the brain. This type of damage is difficult to detect via conventional tests and is called hidden hearing loss. Researchers measured hearing and speech abilities before and after attending a venue with loud music, such as clubs or music festivals. They found that hearing loss was temporary. However, when conducting speech recognition tests with background noise, participants were less able to recognize the speech. More Information click here.
One-Sided Hearing Loss Affects Understanding Conversations In Noisy Environments
The Brain Uses Both Sides Of The Brain To Process Speech
Most of us are familiar with hearing loss as a condition that affects both ears. However, there is also one-sided hearing loss. In can be caused by excessively high sound, head injury and blood interruption to the inner ear, among others. Also, hearing with only one ear makes difficult understanding speech, because the brain does a better job separating background noise from speech when using both sides of the brain. Fortunately, there is a technology that can help. More info click here.
Zika Can Result In Hearing Loss
Zika infection, which is spreading in many countries, can cause hearing loss. This occurs because Zika affects the brain, the stem, and the peripheral nerves. Since Zika affects also newborn babies, the procedure is to test for hearing and eyesight. More details click here.
