What do construction workers, airport ground personnel and orchestral musicians have in common with bartenders and dentists?
Aging is a natural part of life. To slow down the aging process, we can try several things. Eating right, exercising and managing our stress can all be helpful. But for many people, wrinkles and greying hair are not the biggest concern. As they age, they notice that their ability to hear began to decline. If you suspect that your hearing loss may be age-related, you should know that you are not alone. The condition impacts about 50 percent of people 65 and over.
Although as humans, we are highly visual creatures, we rely on our auditory system for various reasons. We depend on our hearing to communicate, listen to music, stay socially active, and more. Our dependence on our sense of hearing explains why experiencing hearing loss can be more socially debilitating than blindness.
First, it is missing a few words here and there. Then over time, you find yourself unable to participate in conversations. You go through a phase of denial about your worsening hearing loss, until one day, you have to face it. Your hearing is getting worse, and it is starting to take its toll on the quality of your life.
Everyone perceives hearing loss differently. Both the cause and the degree can be various. While aging is a common explanation for experiencing a certain degree of hearing loss, there are other possible causes of losing your hearing. Multiple medical problems and prolonged exposure to loud noise can all be potential root causes. The degree of hearing loss can also vary from person to person.
If you have experienced itchy ears before, you know how annoying this sensation can be. Some people get so bothered by the itchiness, that they stick things like keys, ear swabs, and even toothpicks into their ears to find relief. Sticking objects into your ear, however, is never a good idea. By doing so, you'll run the risk of causing trauma to your ear canal and injure your eardrum. What should you do instead? What's the best way to treat itchy ears? It turns out, the best relief for your itching depends on what's causing it.
Most people have heard of the term "white noise." Especially parents, whose small children have trouble falling asleep, are all too familiar with it. While welcoming a newborn into the world is a magical experience, the arrival of a baby can mean a period of sleep deprivation for the entire family. Lots of people get desperate to get some sleep at night and try just about anything to help their babies fall asleep.
Otosclerosis is a middle and inner ear condition. It affects approximately every 250th person. Learn more about its causes, symptoms and treatment options.
