Say what?
While hearing loss is often associated with aging — 22% of people over the age of 65 struggle to hear everyday sounds around them — it can affect people of all ages.
And certain factors that mess with the ability to properly hear may take some people by surprise, including an item many reach for regularly.
While it may seem like an issue to deal with if and when it happens, hearing loss can affect your health in several ways by causing feelings of social isolation, depression, anxiety and loss of confidence.
However, it turns out our health can also affect how well we hear, according to Nick Andresen, a neurotologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
“Hearing loss is not always caused by aging or obvious noise exposure,” Andresen told The Post. “Noise exposure is one of the best-known causes, but it is only part of the picture.”
Beyond loud sounds, factors like lifestyle habits, medical conditions, infections and even some medications may also contribute to hearing loss.
1. Smoking
Despite its increasing popularity, the health risks of smoking are well and thoroughly documented.
And now, hearing loss can be added to the list, as lighting up not only increases the risk, but more exposure to cigarettes is associated with more severe loss.
“The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it may involve reduced oxygen delivery to the inner ear and damage from toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke,” Andresen explained.
Quitting may reduce or even potentially reverse some of the risk.
2. High blood pressure
While more modest of an effect than other risk factors, having high blood pressure may also affect your ears.
High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels and hair cells, which convert vibrations into nerve signals, in the inner ear.
Reduced blood flow also decreases the amount delivered to the cochlea, the hearing organ of the inner ear, which can lead to either gradual or sudden hearing loss.
3. NSAIDS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like aspirin and ibuprofen, are a common drugstore treatment to provide pain relief and reduce fever.
They may also contribute to hearing loss if used “regularly over many years or at higher-than-recommended doses,” according to Andresen.
While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, a higher dosage could be damaging auditory neurons that transmit sound signals from the ear to the brain.
An overdose on aspirin may also cause temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition that causes a buzzing or ringing sound in the ears.
“However, these effects are typically short-lived and resolve when the medication is cleared from the body,” Andresen added, while NSAIDs used at recommended doses are still very safe.
4. Other health conditions
Overall health can affect hearing, especially certain medications or conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular health, infections and head trauma that damage the delicate blood vessels and nerve cells in the ear.
Andresen also warns not to underestimate the cumulative impact of everyday noises on hearing.
Anything from headphones to power tools and lawn mowers can have an impact.
“It is best to limit exposure to loud noise as much as possible and, when unavoidable, wear hearing protection in noisy environments, such as sporting events, concerts or around loud machinery,” Andresen recommends.
