People typically associate hearing loss due to aging or noise-inflicted damage. But did you know there are other causes such as stress, mumps, and more?
Most people associate hearing loss with aging, exposure to loud sounds, or a congenital disability. However, there are several causes of hearing loss that you might find surprising. Knowing these causes can help you to prevent hearing loss in the future.
1. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea has been linked with hearing loss. Medical professionals are not sure why people who deal with sleep apnea are prone to hearing loss. Some medical professionals believe that when sleep apnea happens, there is a reduction of blood supply to the inner ear. The inner ear does depend on oxygen to process sound, and lack of blood flow can cause that. It is also thought that hearing loud snoring for years can also damage your hearing.
2. Drinking Excessively
If you drink alcohol excessively, you are at risk for developing things like stroke, high blood pressure, and even heart disease. You might not know that with heavy drinking, you are also putting yourself at risk for hearing loss. This is due to the fact that your central auditory cortex becomes damaged when you drink too much. If you are a younger adult, excessive drinking can lead to problems in processing lower frequency sounds. Drinking too much in one night can cause issues as well. Alcohol is absorbed into the inner ear fluid, which can cause balance issues.
3. Iron Deficiency
There is a link between people who have anemia and hearing loss. Iron helps to provide a healthy blood supply. If the blood supply is not healthy to the hairs in the inner ear, it can cause issues with processing sounds. People with low iron may hear muffled noises and even ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus.
4. Mumps
Mumps is a common disease that many children get. This disease causes swelling in the salivary glands. Typically, both sides of the face are included. In some cases, mumps can also cause swelling around the brain, which can cause hearing loss. It is suspected that mumps causes damage to the cochlea. To prevent this from happening, children can be vaccinated.
5. Chronic Stress
Many people face stress from time to time, but sometimes, people face a lot of stress, which can cause hearing loss. When your body is stressed, it can cause issues with your circulation. Your body will divert oxygen to your muscles, and your inner ear may not receive as much oxygenated blood as it needs. This can lead to hearing damage. Minimizing chronic stress is imperative to help prevent any issues with hearing loss.
Call Us Today!
If you have had any of the issues above and are concerned about hearing loss, please call Beltone Skoric Hearing Aid Center today. Our team of hearing care specialists can give you a hearing care exam and determine how best to help your hearing needs. We offer a variety of Beltone hearing aid devices to help you hear better.
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52947-Surprising-causes-for-hearing-loss
