What Is Surfer’s Ear?
Most surfing injuries are related to muscles or dislocations. But there is also one called exostosis, also known as surfer’s ear that can cause pain and even hearing loss. It is caused by the exposure to cold water. The body responds by growing bone in the ear canal. What to do about it? Click here for more information.
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.
This Software Evaluates And Personalizes The User’s Hearing Ability
It Compensates The Frequencies Difficult To Hear
There is an app that analyzes the user’s personal hearing ability and personalizes the sound to compensate it. This is not only oriented to people with gradual hearing loss, but to any person that is unaware that they have a slight hearing loss, which does not interfere with his daily activities nor his communication with other persons. This is great news, considering that 2.5% of the people suffer from untreated hearing loss, and one-third of them are under 35 years. The app first evaluates the frequency perception level of the user. This means, which frequencies are best and are worst heard, similar to an audiologist exam. This personalizes the software for the user. Also, the app can be integrated into several audio platforms. More info click here.
Understanding Speech In Noisy Environments
Hearing aids are oriented to amplify the sounds and frequencies of the human voice, allowing the wearer to understand a conversation. However, this can be difficult in a noisy environment. Researchers have developed a method to predict intelligibility in noisy backgrounds, which might assist the development of hearing aids. More info click here.
There Can Be Evidence Of An Association Of Hearing Loss And Mental Decline
The Risk Of Mental Impairment Increases With The Severity Of Hearing Loss
Dementia can gradually appear in older adults and is hard to predict. However, according to a study, hearing loss can be a signal that there is a higher risk of this condition. This can show that there is evidence between hearing loss and mental decline. According to specialists, hearing loss is associated with cognitive impairment, which can be a symptom of early dementia. This mental condition has no cure, and there are no treatments that can prevent progression or reverse it. Mild hearing loss increases the risk of mental decline in 30%, while moderate and severe hearing loss increases it in 42% and 54%, respectively, for patients that do not use hearing aids. In the case of men with severe hearing loss using hearing aids, the risk of mental decline was 37%, but it was not statistically significant. More info click here.
There Are Different Types Of Hearing Loss
There are two types of hearing loss. The first one is related to the tympanum and the bones that conduct sound in the middle ear, and any disease or condition that affects it. The second is called sensorineural hearing loss and is related to the inner ear and complications with the auditory nerve. More info click here.
Stress Can Cause Hearing Loss And Tinnitus
Stressful Situations Secrete A Hormone That Restricts Blood Flow, Affecting Hair Cells In The Inner Ear
Stress works as a defense mechanism for us. The body produces a hormone called cortisol, which, in imminent danger, puts the body in a fight-or-flight state, narrowing the blood vessels to divert the blood to the muscles. The problem occurs with chronic stress, in which the body is frequently producing this hormone. Constant exposure to it also affects the organs. Since cortisol restricts circulation, it also affects hearing, because the hair cells on the inner ear depend on a proper circulation to work correctly, converting vibration into electrical impulses. There are different types of hair cells, each tuned for a different frequency, so if one is damaged, the ability to hear the corresponding will be affected. Stress and hypertension also cause pulsatile tinnitus, in which the person hears a noise that pulsates with the heartbeat. More Information click here.
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.
Feeling Dizzy Or With Vertigo? This Might Be The Cause
There are times when there is a feeling of vertigo and it seems that one is going to lose balance. Probably the problem is in the ear because the balance organs reside there. One cause might be Meniere’s disease, which causes fluid buildup, resulting in nausea and tinnitus. Other causes that have similar symptoms are an ear infection and acoustic neuroma, which is a benign tumor in the inner ear. More Information click here.
A Damage To The Inner Ear Can Result In Sensorineural Hearing Loss
The Damaged Cells Prevent Hearing Certain Frequencies
One of the causes of hearing loss is related to the electrical signals between the inner ear and the brain. The inner ear includes the cochlea, which is a structure similar to a snail’s shell, and the vestibular system, which consists of three rings on different axes, that control balance. Inside the cochlea, there are nerve cells connected to hairs, which are activated by certain sound frequencies, and convert them to electrical impulses. When these nerve cells in the cochlea are damaged, the condition is called sensorineural hearing loss. Damage can occur by trauma, ototoxic medication (a medication with side effects that affect the inner ear), autoimmune disease, genetics, heart disease, and diabetes. The usual treatment is to make sounds louder via hearing aids. A diagnostic will reveal what frequencies must be amplified, and the hearing aid will be tuned to amplify these frequencies. Another consequence of hearing loss is the lack of stimulus in the brain since it cannot receive certain frequencies. A hearing aid will enhance the frequencies corresponding to the damaged hair cells and nerve cells, providing proper brain stimulation. Click here for more info.
Spinning Is Great For Your Looks, But May Be Bad For Your Hearing
Spinning may help with a great physical condition and a great figure, but the loud music can be damaging to your hearing. One of the factors of hearing loss is the frequency of exposure, so instructors and frequent attendants are at greatest risk, therefore, protect your ears before each class. There are also apps that will inform you if the number of decibels in the class exceeds the safety limits. More info click here.
Dizziness Is A Condition Of The Inner Ear That Affects The Balance Organs
It Can Be Linked To Tinnitus, Hearing Loss, And Caused By Migraines And Low Blood Pressure
Dizziness is a sensation of loss of balance, which can go from lightheadedness to continuous vertigo. It affects the inner ear, where the balance organs are located. It can also cause nausea and short-term hearing loss, which can be linked to an ear infection. Another cause is Meniere’s disease. In this condition, the room feels like it is spinning, and other symptoms may be tinnitus hearing loss and a sensation of pressure in the ear. Even though the causes of Meniere’s are unclear, specialists believe that there are genetic factors, and it might be triggered by excessive internal pressure in the inner ear. Dizziness can be caused by a migraine, which may occur before or after the migraine attack or by anxiety, along with heart palpitations. Another cause is low blood pressure, which triggers an episode of dizziness when standing up or changing positions. It can be also the symptom of a serious health condition when combined with other symptoms such as a numb face and double vision. These are linked to a clogged artery, which lowers the blood blow to the brain and increases the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. Check all the causes of dizziness. Additional information click here.
Scientists Have Found A Procedure That Can Reverse Inherited Hearing Loss
It Consists Of Activating A Gene Associated With Certain Hair Cells In The Inner Ear
Hearing loss and hereditary deafness are considered permanent. However, a series of scientific discoveries might disagree with this fact. Researchers have found a genetic brain switch that could reverse hereditary deafness. Certain hair cells, which convert sound into electrical signals, are associated with a particular gene. Scientists were able to reverse hereditary hearing loss at lower frequencies using small-molecule-based drugs. This breakthrough could also help other inherited forms of progressive hearing loss. Click here for more information.
Tinnitus Treatment Trains The Brain To Ignore The Annoying Sound
The Patient Uses An Ipod To Listen To A Special Sound While Sleeping
There is a treatment based in which the brain learns to ignore the tinnitus sounds. This is done with the generation of a tinnitus sound while the patient sleeps, and over time, the brain ignores the sound until it is hardly noticed. The treatment includes an iPod, which is approved as a medical device. The good news is that this system has won an award as a digital and mobile health app. Click here for more information.
Avoiding Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
It Is The Most Common Type Of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is more common in older adults, but the truth is that it can develop at any age. Causes can be diseases, medication, injuries, or exposure to loud sounds. Noise-induced hearing loss, also called sensorineural hearing loss, is the damage of the hair cells located in the inner ear. This type of hearing loss could be prevented by following certain guidelines, such as avoiding continued exposure to loud noises, such as clubs, music concerts, and headphones. However, there are differences in noise-induced hearing loss. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid hearing them, such as a sudden noise at the workplace, ambulances or sirens, machinery noises, among others. However, if there is ear damage, it can only be assessed after the event, in other words, when it’s too late. There are ways to avoid exposure to loud noises, such as using foam plugs, moving away from the sound source, or even using special earplugs that block the loud noises but allow a conversation. More details click here.
There Is A Non-Invasive Procedure For Treatment-Resistant Depression, Tinnitus, And Fibromyalgia
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Consists Of Focused Magnetic Pulses On The Brain
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive procedure for treatment-resistant depression, fibromyalgia, and tinnitus, among other disorders. It consists of a highly focused MRI-strength magnetic pulses to nerve cells in a specific part of the brain. The objective is to reverse the changes in brain activity and brain chemicals that happens in these disorders. Additional details click here.
Learn About The Myths In Hearing Loss
Hearing loss has facts and myths. One of them is about that hearing aids are not affordable for many people, but there are payment plans or government subsidies. Also, the patients deny losing his hearing, but hearing loss is so gradual that is sometimes difficult to detect. Check all the myths. More Information click here.
Study: Potassium In Bananas Can Help Prevent Hearing Loss
Also, Zinc And Magnesium Are Fundamental For Preserving The Hearing Function
According to specialists, bananas can help prevent hearing loss. This is due to the potassium, which helps in the correct functioning of the inner ear, and the transmission of signals to the brain. There are other vitamins and minerals important for preventing hearing loss. Researchers have found that eh inner ear has the highest concentration of zinc in all the body, and its deficiency can result in tinnitus. Magnesium protects the ears against noise-induced hearing loss, which results from operating machinery without protection or listening to loud music. Click here for more info.
Exposure To Certain Sounds Can Affect The Human Body
Effects Are Tinnitus, Fatigue, Heart Palpitations, And Headaches
The possibility of a health condition being caused by sound has been reviewed in the case of US diplomats in Cuba and China. High volume can cause stress, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, and even hypertension. However, there are sounds that can be outside the human audible range, which is from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Sounds over 20,000 Hz. Are called ultrasound and can be heard by dogs and bats. They are used also by doctors for ultrasound imaging. However, the emitting device must be pressed against the subject and is not effective at a certain range. Infrasound is below 20Hz. and has different effects. It is caused by things like earthquakes, lightning, ocean waves, and even some animals like elephants, whales, rhinos, hippos, among others, which use it to communicate with each other. Some effects on humans are headaches, dizziness, annoyance, fatigue, tinnitus, and heart palpitations. There can be also exposure to infrasound at a high volume, such when being in a ship’s engine room, or near a wind turbine. Additional information click here.
The Ear Can Help Diagnose Several Health Conditions
It Can Even Inform If There Are Kidney Problems Or Heart Disease
The ears can provide a diagnosis over your health. If it is dipping out earwax, there could be some infection or ear disease. The same condition applies if the ears are itchy of if the earwax smells bad – just take note that earwax is odorless in a healthy ear. It can also inform about other organs. If the ear has an unusual shape or if it has a bump on the inner side of the ears, there could be a kidney problem. Also, if there is a diagonal crease in the earlobe, called the Frank Sign, there could be heart disease. Additional details click here.
