Who is at Risk for Hearing Loss?

Currently, it's estimated that five percent of the population has hearing loss. But what really makes you sit up in your chair is that it's estimated that by 2050 this number will increase to one in ten people who will have hearing loss. But you believe that you will not be one of them, or will you? It's not just senior citizens that have hearing loss. Many other factors can place you at risk.

Noisy Career

Everyone has to make a living. You need money to put food on the table, but at what cost? Careers in construction, manufacturing, farming, law enforcement and entertainment can cause you to have noise-induced hearing loss. In the construction, manufacturing and farming sectors, handling or being near loud equipment like drills and chainsaws for an extended time will lead to hearing loss.

The sudden short bursts of noise from gunfire, jets, grenades and other artillery cause hearing loss for men and women in the law enforcement sector. The entertainment industry also has its fair share of artists who have hearing loss. This is all due to the prolonged exposure to loud music through the speakers and even the instruments themselves like orchestras. Any noise level over 70 decibels can cause hearing loss if exposed to it for long periods of time. However, over 120-decibel noise will give you immediate hearing loss. 

Surfers

Surfers are at risk for hearing loss. Although if you are a lover of snow, sea or even the pool, anything that gives you repeated exposure to wind and cold water, you are also at risk of hearing loss. The reason is that you can develop surfer's ears, which is a bony growth in the inner ear. 

Age Is Not Just a Number

As you enter your golden age, you are at high risk for hearing loss. It's all due to the deterioration of your inner ear structure. The tiny hair cells in your inner ear cannot pick up sound vibrations as they should because they are slowly breaking down. However, to prevent further hearing loss, you can consult your audiologist and get a hearing aid. 

Injuries and Illnesses

Hearing loss can be caused by concussions or other head injuries. If there is damage to the auditory cortex, eardrums or nerves, although your audiologist will advise you if your hearing loss may be caused due to it. If you are under the weather due to illness, it might cause your hearing loss. Meningitis, ear infections and high fevers may cause damage to the cochlea.

You adore your music. It's your escape. But listening to your music on high volume for hours on end will also put you at risk for hearing loss. Balance is key; take a break after listening for 60 minutes just to give your hearing some quiet time.