villager article - use it or lose it?
Articles from The Villager part 5
Research in the USA indicates that hearing loss may be an under recognised complication of diabetes. Diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging the nerves (hair cells) and blood vessels of the inner ear. Adults with pre-diabetes whose blood glucose is higher than normal but not high enough for diabetes diagnosis had a 30 percent higher rate of hearing loss.
The other main causes of hearing loss centre on age, heredity and noise. As a general rule, if you have to raise your voice because of the noise around you, then it is too loud for your ears. Hear in the Community also supplies a range of custom made noise protectors for gardeners and DIY enthusiasts, those exposed to noise on a regular basis through work, motor-cyclists and fire-arms enthusiasts.
For musicians and club goers there are very effective moulded ear-plugs which dampen the noise without affecting the sound quality of the music. Noise induced hearing loss is entirely avoidable. Some are more likely to damage their hearing than others given a similar level of noise exposure. It’s in their genes. If you need protection from noise, use noise defenders or lose some of your hearing. Enough said?
Hereditary hearing loss is passed down from parents to their children. It may be inherited from one or both parents who may or may not have a hearing loss themselves.
The hereditary material or genes are located on chromosomes which are found in each cell of the body. Genes provide specific traits or characteristics such as hair colour or blood type. Defective genes can also pass along traits such as hearing loss or speech disorders. The hearing loss may not be present at birth but they may inherit the tendency to acquire a gradual loss of hearing later in life.
For those who suspect that this may be the case, it is particularly important their hearing is tested on a regular basis.
Hearing loss affects 1 in 10 of the world’s population and noise exposure poses a higher risk to those living in the industrialised societies than the quieter surroundings of the developing world.
In Britain, 1 in every 7 of the population have some degree of hearing loss and at least 1 in 5 has a loss of hearing and is either unaware of it, or will not wear hearing aids because of the stigma attached to it.
It seems a shame to let vanity get in the way as many deny themselves a world filled with wonderful sounds.
If you are beginning to struggle to hear some sounds, people often do notice and that in itself is an “advertisement” to them that you need help. If you know someone who is losing some of their hearing, it is worth encouraging them to seek assistance- they will thank you. Early detection of hearing loss can help to ward off serious problems later on in life such as anxiety and depression- I know…
As Mahatma Gandhi said “Man becomes great exactly in the degree to which he works for the welfare of his fellow man”.