Hearing is one of the five senses. It’s also a sense that you probably take for granted. You might not know this, but your hearing has been declining since the moment you were born (and even before). Thankfully, there are some things you can do to prevent hearing loss or regain your hearing if it’s been compromised.
Read on to learn more about how you can hear better and prevent hearing loss with audiology.
What is Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss, also known as hearing impairment, is the inability to perceive sounds with the same clarity as others do. It can be present from birth (in which case it is known as congenital hearing loss) or acquired later in life. The former is typically due to abnormal development of the auditory system, while the latter can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, noise exposure, certain medications, and age.
There are two types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is caused by an obstruction in the pathway that the sound travels through to get to the ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is an injury to the cochlea, the part of the ear that converts sound vibrations into electrical impulses that the brain can understand.
Why do we lose our hearing as we age?
One of the reasons why people lose their hearing as they age is due to a decrease in the amount of fluid found in the cochlea. In younger people, the amount of fluid found in the cochlea is around 3-5 ml. In older people, this amount can decrease to 1 ml. This drop in fluid leads to a higher incidence of sensorineural hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss is typically a result of long-term exposure to loud noises, a poor diet, or a combination of all three.
Audiology and How It Can Help
Audiology is a branch of science that studies the human auditory system, as well as the communication problems that result from hearing loss. It is also the branch of science that can help you regain your hearing if it’s been compromised.
An audiologist is a professional who specializes in the field of audiology. They are trained in diagnosing and treating hearing loss. In order to do this, they will typically use some kind of hearing test, such as an audiogram, OAE, ABR, etc. Once they’ve diagnosed your hearing loss, they can recommend a treatment plan. Audiology can help you in the following ways:
- It can help you regain your hearing.
- It can help you cope with your hearing loss.
- It can help you understand the benefits of an advanced hearing aid.
- It can help you avoid potential hearing loss. It can help you prevent tinnitus.
Tips to Hear Better and Prevent Hearing Loss
- Be careful with your headphones: If you’re constantly blasting the volume on your headphones, you could be doing some serious damage to your ears. Protect your hearing by keeping the volume at a reasonable level. You can also consider investing in noise-canceling headphones.
- Avoid loud noises: Loud noises can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. It’s best to avoid them as much as possible. If you have to be around loud noises, try to wear hearing protection.
- Eat a healthy diet: A poor diet can do a lot of damage to your body, including your ears. So be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.
- Get your hearing checked: While most people don’t notice their hearing loss until it’s too late, you can avoid this by getting your hearing checked regularly.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a very real issue that many people face as they age. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to prevent hearing loss or regain your hearing if it’s been compromised. You can be careful with your headphones, avoid loud noises, eat a healthy diet, and get your hearing checked. If you follow these tips, you should be able to hear better and prevent hearing loss.
