by DR. P.Meghna, Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) | May 10, 2021

A person’s hearing ability is of prime importance for a good quality of life. Decreased hearing ability due to old age cannot always be prevented, but can definitely be delayed with proper precautions. One in three people after 65 years and one in two after 75 years have some level of hearing loss. If we don’t take proper precautions, hearing loss can commence in youth.

Noise is one of the leading causes of hearing loss. Professions such as heavy industry workers, transportation workers, military personnel, pilots, policemen, musicians, are at high risk for hearing loss.

According to WHO, 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults worldwide are at risk for noise induced hearing loss from unsafe use of audio devices. Hearing experts suggest the ‘60/60’ rule. Listen with headphones at no more than 60 percent volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. Noise levels are measured in decibels. Any sound >90 decibels for 2 hours at a stretch can alter your hearing and have long term effects. Following chart shows commonly encountered environmental conditions and decibels.

We now have apps to measure sound levels. For example ‘Decibel x’ and ‘Too Noisy Pro’ are available in ios and android, and ‘Sound meter’ in android, and ‘NIOSH sound level meter’ in ios.

Precautions to avoid Noise induced hearing loss

Heart related diseases – According to a published study in the Journal of the American geriatrics society, risk factors such as high blood pressure and obesity were associated with poor hearing sensitivity.

Kidney disease- Long standing kidney disease patients have 43 percent increased risk of hearing loss 

Diabetes – Hearing loss was found to be twice as common in people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics

Falls in elderly increased by one and half times with every 10 db increase in hearing loss.

Drugs – Antibiotics such as gentamycin, amikacin, vancomycin, diuretic agents such as frusemide, antimalarial agents such as quinine, commonly used analgesics such as ibuprofen and naproxen can cause hearing loss. Consult your doctor when you are on these medications if you experience hearing loss

Supplements

A recent study from the weill-cornell medical college and the Gladstone institute showed that vitamin B3 can prevent hearing loss. Potassium regulates aldosterol which is linked to hearing loss. Low levels of folic acid in blood can cause presbycusis. Magnesium combats the effects of free radicals. Zinc boosts the immune system

When to seek professional help?

1) Have trouble following a conversation when more than one person speaks at once.

2) Think other people are mumbling.

3) Muffling of speech

4) Misunderstanding what others say and responding inappropriately.

5) Listening to television at high volumes.

6) Hear ringing, roaring in your ears known as tinnitus.

Professionals at risk require an yearly hearing check-up by a trained audiologist after consultation with an Ent surgeon.

HEALTHY EARS GIVE HAPPY YEARS!

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