Hearing loss is one common chronic condition among older people in the United States. In fact, it is the third after high blood pressure and arthritis. Hearing loss can occur for several reasons, including aging, exposure to loud noises, heredity, diseases (like meningitis or ear infections), certain medications, and occupational noises. Hearing loss directly affects people's lifestyle and social skills, as communication becomes complex and relates to depression and isolation.
This condition is often a work-related illness as workers– for example, those in a factory– are constantly exposed to loud noises that affect their inner ear structure daily. In almost every industry sector, there are workers who risk hearing loss. There are ways to prevent hearing loss in work situations.
But why is it important to prevent hearing loss?
- Most work-related hearing damage is permanent and can profoundly impact the quality of life.
- Hearing loss makes understanding others increasingly complicated, leading to isolation and depression.
- Hearing loss also leads to loss of enjoyment when all the sounds we want to hear (music, the voice of a loved one, and even alarming sounds) become muted and lack quality.
- Hearing loss can disrupt sleep as people often hear a ringing, leading to sleep deprivation, lack of concentration, and mood swings.
- Hearing loss can impact safety at home and on the job, as people can't notice alarms, ring bells, or sirens.
Having excellent hearing capacity makes it easier to enjoy life and spend time socializing with people. That's why it's important to prevent ear damage. Gulf Coast Hearing Center listed some useful ways to reduce ear damage:
- Check if the noise at your workplace is hazardous: consider that if you need to raise your voice to speak with others, the volume of the noise is probably dangerous. If this is your case, talk with your manager to ensure the noise doesn't threaten employees.
- Reduce noise exposure: try to reduce time in noisy areas and control the volume of your cellphone, television, radio, music, and headphones. If you can't avoid being in a noisy place (because it's your working space or maybe a construction in your neighborhood), consider wearing safety earplugs.
Hearing loss is a chronic condition that can be prevented in some cases. Taking care of your ears and avoiding loud noises is the best way to care for your hearing capacity.
If you or a loved one have hearing loss and decides to take action, don't hesitate to contact Gulf Coast Hearing Centers. We are an Oticon specialist in Panama City, FL, committed to helping patients regain quality of life. We provide our patients with a free comprehensive hearing evaluation without obligation to buy. We carry several brands of hearing aids featuring the latest in digital technology and offer a 30-day trial on all purchases. Discover how we can help you by visiting our website.
