The risk of hearing loss or deafness is seen increasing globally. It is considered normal to have ear diseases with increasing age, but according to recent reports, surprisingly this risk has been increasing even among younger people in the last few years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern in a recent report saying that due to the increasing use of electronic gadgets, especially earbuds and headphones, the cases of hearing loss and deafness have now become very high.
Table of Contents
WHO cautioned in its report that more than one billion (100 crore) people aged 12 to 35 years may be at risk of hearing loss or deafness. The main reason for this is considered to be listening to loud music through earbuds for a long time and staying in noisy places.
These loud sound devices damage the inner ear. Everyone should use these devices with great care.
Loud noise causes damage to the ears
According to the report, about 65 percent of the people who use personal music player with earbuds or headphones continuously use it at a volume more than 85 (decibel). Sound of such intensity has been found to be quite harmful for the inner parts of the ears.
Unlike damage to other parts of the body, inner ear damage is also less likely to heal. Exposure to loud noises causes cells to become damaged over time. Due to this, the ability to hear deteriorates further. Globally, millions of people are likely to suffer from this type of problem in the coming decades.
Experts expressed concern.
“I think on a broader level, the medical and audiology community needs to pay attention to this serious threat,” says Dr. Daniel Fink, associate professor in the department of ENT at the University of Colorado. The increased use of devices like earbuds in the younger population may lead to less debilitating hearing loss by age 40.
The risk of dementia also increases
According to a 2011 study, hearing loss should not be limited to ear problems only. In such people, the risk of brain-related diseases like dementia also increases significantly. People with hearing loss were seen to have twice the risk of developing dementia. At the same time, the risk of dementia was found to be five times higher in people who could not hear at all or were victims of deafness.
Some promising studies suggest treating hearing problems may reduce the risks of cognitive decline and dementia, says Dr. Daniel.
Keep the sound down
Health experts say, sound is measured in a unit called decibel. Sound of 60-70 decibels or less is generally considered safe. However, prolonged or repeated exposure to sounds at 85 or higher can cause hearing loss. The volume of devices like earbuds and headphones can exceed 100, which if used for only a few hours can cause damage to the ear cells and increase hearing problems.
Importance of hearing ability
Our body is a complex system made up of many organs, nerves, bones, and muscles. Amidst this complexity are our body’s five senses that help our body take in external information about our surroundings. Due to damage to any one of these, the balance of the body gets disturbed.
Each of those organs plays an important role. The loss of one of these senses forces the other senses to improve in a way to compensate. One of these senses is that of hearing. Hearing is what enables us to recognize external sounds. It enables us to have spontaneous conversations and connect with other people. With this, we can recognize the danger around us.
For example, the sound of a horn while crossing the road. Listening to music is considered one of the best ways to relieve stress and depression. This is possible only through our ability to listen. Hearing helps us enjoy and cherish small things like hearing a loved one laugh having a deep and meaningful conversation or hearing the sounds of nature.
When and why does deafness occur?
Hearing loss or deafness is very common with age. However, deafness, whether partial or complete, can be caused by many other causes, one of which has only recently been discovered. The main causes of deafness include old age, loud noise, disease, and heredity. Our ears are made up of three parts – the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Sound waves travel from the outer ear to the eardrum, causing the eardrum to vibrate.
The eardrum is the thin skin between your outer and middle ear. There are three bones in the middle ear, which are called ossicles. As sound travels to the inner ear, the ossicles and eardrum work together to amplify the vibrations. The inner ear includes the cochlea. The cochlea is filled with fluid and a tuft of hair cells. These hair cells are connected to thousands of nerve endings in the cochlea.
Sound travels through the fluid of the cochlea to the hair cells. Hair cells help convert sound wave vibrations into electrical signals that travel to the brain. The brain then interprets this electrical signal as sound.The electrical signal is then transmitted to the brain, where it is interpreted as sound. Different types of sound waves produce different responses in these hairs which signal different sounds to the brain. Damage to any of these parts of the ear can result in partial or complete deafness in one or both ears.
Types and symptoms of deafness
There exist three major types of deafness: conductive, which concerns the outer and middle ear; sensorineural, referring to the inner ear; and mixed. If one feels the first symptoms of hearing loss in one or both ears, he should urgently contact his doctor. Some major symptoms concerning deafness include muffled speech and other sounds, difficulty hearing words, constantly asking someone to repeat what he is saying, increasing the volume of the TV and music, and difficulty in understanding words over background noise.
Difficulty in swallowing, ringing in the ears, ear pain, and headache. These may be signs of ear damage. But the cause of deafness, partial or complete, in one ear or both cannot be determined by itself. One needs to consult their doctor who will check the hearing ability and ears; Some tests are done to determine the type and cause of deafness.
Conductive hearing loss
Conductive hearing loss is caused by excess buildup of earwax or fluid, infection, and eardrum puncture. This type of deafness is usually temporary and can be treated. Deafness can be almost completely cured. The doctor will use an instrument or suction to remove the wax that has built up.
Making loud noises or pressing your ear can rupture your eardrum. Damage to the eardrum and loss of fluid due to infection can be treated with minor surgery. If infection has caused the deafness, the doctor may prescribe some antibiotics and hearing should return to normal within a few days.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss means that the inner ear has been damaged. This type of deafness is usually permanent. It can be caused by several factors. There is damage to the hair cells in the cochlea that partially or completely blocks the path for sound waves to reach the brain. Aging can be one of the reasons for this damage.
Extremely loud sounds that exceed 85 dB for a long period also cause permanent damage to the ears. Other causes include infections such as meningitis and mumps. An injury to the head can also cause permanent damage to the ears. Another factor includes certain medications.
Many medicines are ototoxic, that is, they harm the ears. The most common and useful treatment for this type of deafness is to use hearing aids programmed for your unique hearing loss. If hearing loss is very severe, many doctors recommend a cochlear implant.
Causes of hearing loss and deafness
There can be many reasons for deafness due to which a person’s ability to hear reduces or disappears, all these reasons are as follows.
Damage to the cochlea
The cochlea is an organ inside the ear that sends sound signals to a person’s brain, but when a person is continuously exposed to noise, its cells get damaged and there is a blockage in sending signals to the brain, due to which the person becomes hearing impaired or deaf. The problem starts happening.
Ear infection
Due to ear infection or enlargement of the ear bone, ear pain and hearing ability get affected due to which the person starts having the problem of deafness.
Trouble in eardrum
If due to any reason like an ear infection, sudden pressure builds up, something goes into the ear which causes a hole in the eardrum, the person becomes deaf and cannot hear anything.
Symptoms of deafness
There are many symptoms of deafness by which many ear-related problems and the problem of deafness can be identified.
Inability to hear: When a person hears someone else’s voice less, listens to a program running on TV in a loud voice, etc., all these symptoms appear, then these are the symptoms of deafness.
Pain in the ears or inability to hear the background noise in the crowd are symptoms of deafness.
Not being able to understand the words spoken by another person and having to repeat them repeatedly are all symptoms of deafness.
Prevention of deafness
There are many preventions to reduce and avoid deafness, with the help of which it can be reduced, all these preventions are as follows.
Protecting ears
It is important to protect the ears to protect them from noise and loud sounds. Earmuffs are very protective gear that proves useful for the ears.
Check ears regularly
If a person has pain in his ears or is overexposed to noise, he should get his ears checked regularly so that any problem can be treated quickly.
Stay away from loud sounds and music
One should stay away from loud sounds and music because living in such an environment and listening to loud music for a long time affects the eardrums.
Treatment of deafness
There are many treatments available to cure deafness. On the advice of the doctor, different treatments are done for different ear-related diseases. All these treatments are as follows.
Cleaning ears
To cure deafness, ears are cleaned and earwax is removed on the doctor’s advice. This affects the ability to hear.
Treatment by surgery
Treatment is done through surgery on the advice of the doctor. Surgery is done only for those who have suffered ear injury or deafness due to ear infection.
Use of hearing aids
When a person loses his ability to hear, then on the advice of a doctor, a hearing aid is used, which is also called a hearing aid. By putting this machine in the ear, a person can hear sound or voice.
Conclusion
In today’s time, many people are suffering from deafness because due to increasing noise pollution, many problems related to ears arise, hence it is important to get timely treatment of ears and regular checkups. To protect the ears, music should be listened to at low volume and noise exposure should be reduced.
FAQ’s
1. How is the eardrum repaired?
To repair the hole or tear in the eardrum, it is treated with medicines on the advice of the doctor, but when the infection becomes severe, surgery is performed by the doctor.
2. What should be done in case of hearing loss?
In case of hearing loss, one should take care of the ears by avoiding exposure to noise, using ear puffs, etc. If the problem of hearing loss continues to increase then it is important to consult a doctor.
3. What should be done to cure deafness?
To cure deafness, first of all, it is necessary to know its cause and it is necessary to consult a doctor. The doctor will start the treatment by examining the ears and try to cure the deafness.
Disclaimer
All the articles published in “Health Alpha” are prepared based on various sources like doctors, the internet, experts, and books. The facts and information mentioned in the article have been checked and verified by Health Alpha.
All instructions have been followed while preparing this article. The related article has been prepared to increase the information and awareness of the reader. Health Alpha does not make any claims nor take any responsibility regarding the information and information provided in the article.
For more information about the related diseases mentioned in the above article, consult your doctor and do not take any medicine without medical advice.
Views: 0
Pingback: Chemotherapy-4 common questions related to it and answers